EMT Emergency Medical Technicians Exam Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Secondary preventionfocuses onearly detection and interventionto reduce the severity or impact of an illness or injury that has already occurred or is inevitable. Examples in EMS include:

AED deployment in public

Stroke recognition training

Early CPR

Primary preventionaims to stop the injury from occurring at all (e.g., vaccination, seatbelts). "Reactive" and "proactive" are not recognized formal categories in EMS public health strategy.

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Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)in a physically active person, such as a mountain climber, strongly suggests apulmonary embolism (PE), particularly due to:

Dehydration

Prolonged exertion or immobility

High altitude increasing clot risk

Symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Tachypnea

Hemoptysis

Pulmonary edemagenerally causes pink frothy sputum and is more associated with heart failure.Neoplasm (lung cancer)is possible but much less acute in onset.Spontaneous pneumothoraxcauses dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain but not typically hemoptysis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The symptoms and vital signs (wheezing, hypotension, high pulse rate, respiratory distress) are strongly indicative ofanaphylaxis, which is alife-threatening allergic reaction. Bilateral wheezing and hypotension further confirm systemic involvement. Thefirst-line treatment is intramuscular epinephrine, which:

Reverses bronchospasm (via beta-2 adrenergic effects)

Raises blood pressure (via alpha-1 vasoconstriction)

Improves airway tone and reduces mucosal edema

A metered-dose inhaler may help in mild bronchospasm but is insufficient duringanaphylactic shock. Positive pressure ventilations are a secondary measure if respiratory failure occurs. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated due to low BP.

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In patients with acute abdominal pain, you mustfirst inspect (visualize)for distension, discoloration, or massesbeforetouching. Palpation always beginsaway fromthe most painful area. The patient should be in asupine position with knees flexedto relax the abdominal muscles and ease the exam.

Palpating a pulsating masscould rupture an abdominal aortic aneurysm and is contraindicated.

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SALT(Sort, Assess, Lifesaving interventions, Treatment/Transport) is a mass casualty triage method recommended by theCDC and the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP). During the"Assess" step, responders:

Checkrespirations

Providelifesaving interventionssuch asrescue breathsif the patient is not breathing but has a pulse

Evaluatementation(e.g., ability to follow commands)

Airway adjuncts and full transport do not happen at this stage. Scorecards and pediatric-specific modifications are addressed later in the protocol.

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In anyunresponsive patient, the first step is toassess and open the airwayto determine patency and identify obstruction or inadequate breathing.

Gasping respirations (agonal) are not effective; they requireBVM ventilationsupport. The airway must be openbefore checking for a pulse or performing auscultation. A secondary assessment is performed onlyafter primary survey and stabilization.

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In patients with asthma experiencing respiratory failure, improper ventilation (especially excessive rates) can lead to air trapping and increased intrathoracic pressure, reducing venous return and worsening hypotension. Thecorrect techniqueis to ventilate slowly to allow full exhalation — around1 breath every 5–6 secondsfor adults.

CPAPis contraindicated in unresponsive patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Anon-rebreather maskwould be insufficient for an unresponsive patient, andforceful ventilationrisks barotrauma.

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In pediatric START orJumpSTARTtriage, a "delayed" status is appropriate if the child is breathing adequately, has palpable pulses, and follows commands. The respiratory rate of 16 is normal for a 9-year-old, and being able to walk also supports the “delayed” tag.

"Mottled skin" and "breathing only after airway opening" would more likely lead to "immediate" or even "expectant" categories depending on associated symptoms.

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The patient's symptoms are consistent with astroke (CVA). Proper prehospital care focuses on maintaining airway, breathing, circulation, and protecting the affected limbs.Positioning the patient with head elevated(not supine) reduces intracranial pressure and aspiration risk.

Protecting theparalyzed side (e.g., left arm)from injury during transport is critical. EMS should still communicate with the patient — even if speech is impaired — and perform a stroke assessment using tools likeCincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS)orFAST.

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These symptoms are classic forendometriosis, whereendometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Symptoms often include:

Pelvic pain

Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)

Painful bowel movements or intercourse

Spontaneous abortion does not apply here due to lack of pregnancy. Premature menopause is rare at this age and presents differently. Infection is less likely in the absence of recent sexual activity or fever.

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InIncident Command System (ICS)for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI), the four major sections are:

Planning: Collects data and develops response strategies

Logistics: Supplies and personnel

Finance/Administration: Cost tracking, contracts, compensation

Stagingis atactical location, not a management section.Catering and aviationare not command-level ICS designations unless part of specific tasks under logistics or operations.

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Thereassessment phasein the EMT patient assessment model starts with repeating theprimary survey(also called the primary assessment), which includes:

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Disability (mental status)

Exposure/environment

The purpose is to identify any changes or deterioration in the patient’slife-threatening conditions, especially in dynamic or unstable patients. Only after this do EMTs check vitals and reevaluate secondary complaints.

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The legal concept oftort negligencein EMS requires the plaintiff to establish four elements:

Duty to act

Breach of that duty

Damages (harm caused)

Causation— a direct link between the EMT’s action/inaction and the harm caused

Causation(often termed “proximate cause”) is the essential element that connects the EMT’s breach to the patient's injury or outcome. Abandonment, assault, and false imprisonment are otherintentional torts, but not core elements of proving negligence.

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In situations where a vehicle is tailgating an emergency unit, tapping the brakes briefly is a standard defensive driving maneuver to alert the driver behind to increase distance. It is less risky than slowing dramatically or pulling over, which could endanger crew or delay response.

Speeding up could reduce your reaction window or increase accident risk. EMS operators must follow safe driving practices per NFPA 1002 and DOT Emergency Vehicle Operation Guidelines.

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To establishnegligence, four legal elements must be proven:

Duty to act– a legal obligation to provide care.

Breach of duty– failing to meet the standard of care.

Damages– harm occurred.

Proximate causation– the breach directly caused the damage.

"Proximate causation" means the EMT’s action or inaction is closely linked to the harm suffered by the patient.