EMT NREMT Emergency Medical Technicians Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Sickle cell crisis(vaso-occlusive crisis) occurs when abnormally shaped red blood cells obstruct blood flow, leading to:

Severe localized or generalized pain(most common symptom)

Often in the back, chest, abdomen, or long bones

Hypoxia may be a contributing factor, but pain is themost reported reasonfor EMS activation. Cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension arenot primary symptomsof sickle cell crisis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Anexternally rotated, shortened legis a classic sign of aproximal femur fracture, specifically afemoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture, commonly seen in elderly fall patients. This presentation reflectsmuscle pulland fracture displacement.

Posterior hip dislocationscauseinternal rotation.

Pelvic fracturesmay cause instability but not specific leg rotation/shortening.

Colles' fractureis a distal radius (wrist) injury, unrelated to leg trauma.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Compared to adults, pediatric patients have:

Aproportionately larger tongue, which increases the risk of airway obstruction

Alarger occiput, which causes natural neck flexion when lying supine, potentially occluding the airway

This anatomical difference is why EMS providers often use ashoulder rollinstead of a head tilt to maintain aneutral airwayin infants and toddlers.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Pulmonary edemais caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli, impairing gas exchange. It is typically due to:

Left-sided heart failure: Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation

Hypertensive crisis: Increases hydrostatic pressure in the lungs

Anaphylaxis causesvasodilation and bronchospasm, not fluid overload. Increased oncotic pressure wouldretainfluid in capillaries — the opposite of edema.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The patient is in hypoperfusion (shock) from blood loss. In shock states, tissues are deprived of oxygen, leading to anaerobic metabolism, which produces lactic acid as a byproduct. This causes metabolic acidosis, which is a critical sign of systemic oxygen debt.

Carbon dioxide rises with respiratory failure, but lactic acid is a more specific indicator of cellular hypoxia.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Thefirst step in hemorrhage controlfor external bleeding is alwaysdirect pressureusing gloved hands or dressing. Only if this fails or the bleeding issevere and life-threatening(especially from extremities) should atourniquetbe applied.

Assessing the airway is critical in overall trauma care but not thefirst priorityin isolated extremity hemorrhage. Severity assessment is secondary tobleeding control.

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:

If achoking patient becomes unresponsive, EMTs should:

Check for a pulse

Begin chest compressionsif no pulse is foundChest compressions can helpdislodge the object. After compressions, the airway should be opened and inspected. Back blows are not appropriate for unconscious patients.

Ventilation is attempted after clearing the airway or if no object is seen.Do not withhold compressions waiting for object removal.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

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:

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Hepatitis Ais transmitted primarily via thefecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water. It leads to anacuteliver infection, not a chronic condition. Unlike Hepatitis C, which has no vaccine, Hepatitis Ahas an effective vaccineand is preventable with proper hygiene and immunization.

Hepatitis Bis spread through blood and sexual contact, not fecal-oral.Hepatitis Eis also fecal-oral but is rare in the U.S. and doesn't have a widely used vaccine.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

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.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Albuterol, a commonbeta-2 adrenergic agonistused in inhalers, stimulates bronchial smooth muscle relaxation. However, stimulation of beta receptors can also produce systemic effects such as:

Tachycardia(due to beta-1 cross-reactivity)

Nervousness(from central stimulation)

Coughing(a local airway response)

Confusion and drowsiness are not typical side effects of beta-agonists. Hypotension is rare unless severe overdose occurs.

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.