EMT Emergency Medical Technicians Exam Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Use theGlasgow Coma Scale (GCS)to calculate:

Eye Opening (E):Opens to speech = 3

Verbal Response (V):Confused but appropriate words = 4

Motor Response (M):Obeys commands = 6Total = 3 + 4 + 6 = 13

However, thequestion states he opens eyes to voice, knows name (orientation to person), and follows commands— this would mean:

Eye = 3

Verbal = 5(Oriented to person, but disoriented to place/time)

Motor = 6

Correct Total: 14

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

In cases ofsexual assault, preservingevidence integrityis critical. Clothing or other forensic evidence must be placed inpaper bags. Plastic or non-breathable materials can trap moisture, promotingmold or degradation of evidencelike DNA or bodily fluids.

This approach follows chain-of-custody protocols used by law enforcement and medical facilities for handling forensic material.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Forpediatric BLS with two rescuers, currentAHA Guidelines (2020)recommend:

Two-thumb encircling hands technique: Most effective for infants; provides consistent depth and control.

Compression ratio of 15:2: Enhances ventilation without compromising perfusion.

Compression depth: 1/3 of chest or approximatelyone-half the chest's depth.

CPR begins ifpulse <60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion, not at 72 bpm. Rate of180/minis excessive; ideal rate is100–120/min.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The symptoms described areclassic for a stroke (CVA). Additional hallmark findings include:

Arm drift(motor weakness or hemiparesis)

Facial droop(Cranial nerve VII involvement)

Slurred speech(dysarthria or aphasia)

These form the basis of prehospital stroke assessment tools likeFAST:

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

Miosis (pupil constriction) and tremors are not associated with stroke in EMS context. Syncope is an isolated event and not a reliable CVA symptom.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Givenfall with head traumaandabsent respirations, the most concerning cause isspinal injury, particularly acervical spine fracture. Ahigh cervical injury (C1–C4)canparalyze the diaphragm, leading toapnea despite a beating heart.

Brain herniation can also depress respirations but often presents withunequal pupils,posturing, andCushing’s triad(not described here).Commotio cordisis sudden cardiac arrest from blunt chest trauma (not head).Open pneumothoraxaffects chest mechanics, not directly linked here.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This patient is showing signs ofepiglottitisor aserious upper airway obstruction— drooling, difficulty swallowing, fever, and tripod positioning.

EMT actions should include:

Position of comfortto avoid airway agitation

Gentle suctioningif secretions threaten airway

Do not force the patient to lie flat, as this mayworsen airway compromise.CPAPandhumidified oxygenmay be considered in hospital care but not as first-line interventions during prehospital airway management in epiglottitis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Forsuspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB), the EMT should place asurgical mask on the patient, not a HEPA respirator. Surgical masks are used tocontain droplets from the patientand reduce airborne transmission.

The EMTshould wear aN95 or HEPA respiratorto protect against inhaling airborne particles. Notification to the CDC is not the EMT’s responsibility — that falls to public health officials.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

AfterROSCin an unresponsive patient, theleft lateral recumbent position(also called the recovery position) is preferred to:

Maintain an open airway

Prevent aspiration if vomiting occurs

Promote drainage of secretions

Supine or Trendelenburg positions increase the risk of aspiration. Elevating the head to 45° may reduce intracranial pressure, but it’s not standard post-ROSC care in an unresponsive patient unless airway protection is ensured.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is a classic presentation ofhypovolemic shockdue to traumaticblood loss(open femur fracture, pelvic instability). Indicators include:

Low BP (86/42)= hypotension

High pulse (P 136)= compensation

Mental status decline (responsive only to voice)= indicatesdecompensatedshock

Obstructive and distributive shock are not applicable. Compensated shock would shownormal BPandalert mental status.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Mechanism of Injury (MOI)assessment is a cornerstone of trauma care. It helps providers determine:

Extent of injury: High-speed collisions, falls from height, or penetrating trauma suggest internal injuries even if external signs are limited.

Need for additional resources: MOI may indicate the necessity ofALS backup,air transport, ortechnical rescue.

MOI cannot determine a patient’smedical historyor guarantee survival predictions. Thedestination facilitydepends on multiple factors including triage protocols, vital signs, and local trauma system regulations.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), only designated personnel are authorized to handle inquiries regarding a patient’s Protected Health Information (PHI). The Privacy Officer is responsible for enforcing compliance with privacy regulations and addressing PHI access requests.

Shift supervisors or hospitals do not have the legal authority to release PHI unless specifically designated.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Defusingis an informal, short-term intervention after acritical incident. It should:

Occur within hoursof the event (ideally the same shift)

Encourage voluntary open discussionin a confidential setting

It isnot a full debriefor counseling session and doesn’t requiremental health professionalspresent. Forcing participation or waiting too long (e.g., 72+ hours) can reduce its effectiveness.