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NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive Exam practice questions

200 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 1.An EMT is ventilating an adult patient with a bag-valve mask (BVM). Which of the following is the most effective way to ensure adequate tidal volume is being delivered?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  2. 2.A 6-month-old infant presents with nasal flaring, grunting, and a respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute. Their skin is mottled. What is the most appropriate initial treatment?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  3. 3.A 68-year-old male complains of sudden onset of severe shortness of breath and sharp chest pain that worsens with inhalation. On examination, you find diminished breath sounds on the right side, tracheal deviation to the left, and jugular venous distension. His skin is cool, pale, and diaphoretic. What is the most likely underlying condition?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  4. 4.A 5-year-old child is found unresponsive and apneic. After opening the airway and confirming pulselessness, you begin CPR. What is the correct ventilation rate when performing two-rescuer CPR on this child?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  5. 5.A 3-year-old child presents with a sudden onset of barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and mild respiratory distress. The child has a low-grade fever and appears to be playing comfortably between coughing spells. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  6. 6.A 70-year-old male with a history of COPD is experiencing an acute exacerbation. He is alert and oriented but experiencing significant shortness of breath. His SpO2 is 88% on room air. What is the most appropriate initial oxygen administration strategy for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  7. 7.A 40-year-old male is breathing 4 times per minute after a head injury. His pulse is 90 bpm and strong. What is the most appropriate ventilatory rate for this patient using a bag-valve mask?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  8. 8.A 2-year-old child presents with a sudden onset of inspiratory stridor, drooling, and a high fever. The child appears ill and is reluctant to lie down. What is the MOST critical immediate action for the EMT?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  9. 9.When assessing a patient's breathing, which of the following findings would indicate inadequate ventilation?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  10. 10.An EMT is assisting a 72-year-old female with her prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for acute asthma exacerbation. After ensuring the correct medication and checking the expiration date, what is the next step in the administration process?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  11. 11.A 6-month-old infant is experiencing respiratory distress. You observe nasal flaring, grunting, and a respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute. Capillary refill is 3 seconds, and peripheral pulses are weak. Which of the following best describes the infant's respiratory status?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  12. 12.A 45-year-old male is found unconscious after a fall from a ladder. He has snoring respirations and obvious facial trauma. Which of the following airway maneuvers is most appropriate for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  13. 13.A 50-year-old male is found unconscious after an unknown overdose. His respirations are slow and shallow, and you note pinpoint pupils. He is breathing at 6 breaths per minute. You have administered naloxone, and his respiratory effort has not improved. What is your most appropriate next intervention?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  14. 14.You are assessing a patient who was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision. He is unconscious and has obvious facial trauma, including a fractured nose and jaw. His respirations are noisy and gurgling. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial method for opening his airway?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  15. 15.A patient with a history of emphysema is found to have pursed-lip breathing, a barrel chest, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. These findings are indicative of which of the following?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  16. 16.A 68-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe shortness of breath, diminished lung sounds on the left side, and tracheal deviation to the right. He is hypotensive and tachycardic. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate intervention?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  17. 17.A 5-year-old child presents with a sudden onset of respiratory distress. On examination, you note inspiratory stridor, drooling, and a high fever. The child is sitting upright and appears anxious. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  18. 18.A 24-year-old male is experiencing a severe allergic reaction after being stung by a bee. He is conscious but anxious, with widespread urticaria, facial edema, and audible stridor. His blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg, heart rate 120 bpm, and respiratory rate 28 bpm. What is the most immediate priority for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  19. 19.A 28-year-old female is found unconscious after a suspected opioid overdose. Her respirations are 4 breaths per minute, shallow, and irregular. Her skin is cyanotic. What is the most appropriate ventilation rate for this patient using a bag-valve mask?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  20. 20.A 70-year-old female with a history of COPD is experiencing an acute exacerbation. She is alert, anxious, and using accessory muscles to breathe. Her respirations are 24 breaths per minute, shallow. You auscultate bilateral expiratory wheezes. What is the most appropriate initial oxygenation strategy?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  21. 21.A 55-year-old male with a history of COPD is experiencing acute respiratory distress. He is alert but anxious, with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and shallow breathing. His SpO2 is 88% on room air. What is the most appropriate initial oxygen delivery device for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  22. 22.A 6-month-old infant presents with severe respiratory distress, marked retractions, nasal flaring, and a respiratory rate of 70 breaths per minute. The infant is pale and lethargic. What is the most appropriate initial oxygen delivery device for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  23. 23.A 28-year-old female is found unconscious after a suspected opioid overdose. Her respirations are slow and shallow at 6 breaths per minute. Her pulse is 50 bpm and strong. What is the most important initial intervention for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  24. 24.A 22-year-old female fell from a height of 15 feet and is now unconscious. She has clear fluid leaking from her nose and ears. Her respirations are rapid and shallow. What is the most appropriate method to open her airway?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  25. 25.A 3-year-old child presents with a sudden onset of barking cough, stridor, and respiratory distress, but no fever. Their skin is pink and warm. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following conditions?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  26. 26.An unresponsive 45-year-old male is found supine with snoring respirations. His pulse is strong and regular. What is the most appropriate initial airway management technique?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  27. 27.A 72-year-old female is experiencing sudden onset of difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a feeling of impending doom. She has a history of recent surgery. Her skin is cool, pale, and clammy. Lung sounds are clear bilaterally. Which condition should the EMT suspect?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  28. 28.A 45-year-old male with a history of chronic bronchitis is experiencing an acute exacerbation. He is alert but struggling to breathe, with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, SpO2 88% on room air, and diffuse wheezing. What is the most appropriate oxygen delivery device for this patient?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  29. 29.A 5-year-old child has swallowed a small toy and is now conscious but unable to make any sounds, cough, or cry. They are beginning to turn cyanotic. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  30. 30.A 30-year-old male is found unconscious after a motor vehicle collision. He has obvious facial trauma and suspected cervical spine injury. His respirations are gurgling and shallow. What is the most appropriate initial airway management technique?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  31. 31.A 38-year-old male is found unresponsive with shallow, gurgling respirations at a rate of 6 breaths per minute. His pulse is 50 bpm and strong. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial intervention?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  32. 32.A 1-year-old infant is found unresponsive and apneic. After opening the airway and confirming apnea, you attempt to deliver two initial ventilations with a bag-valve mask. You observe minimal chest rise with the first ventilation. What is your next immediate action?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  33. 33.A 3-year-old child is in respiratory distress. You note nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and a respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute. The child is crying but appears anxious. Which of the following best describes the child's respiratory status?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  34. 34.An EMT is assisting a patient with their prescribed metered-dose inhaler (MDI). After shaking the inhaler and instructing the patient to exhale deeply, what is the next step?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  35. 35.A 60-year-old male with a history of heart failure suddenly develops acute pulmonary edema. He is conscious, sitting upright, and has severe dyspnea with frothy pink sputum. His SpO2 is 85% on room air. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial treatment for his breathing difficulty?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  36. 36.A 24-year-old male is found unresponsive, supine, and gurgling. After positioning him on his side, you note continued gurgling. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing his airway?Airway, Respiration & Ventilation
  37. 37.A 4-year-old child presents with a full-thickness (third-degree) burn to his entire left leg. Using the Rule of Nines, what percentage of the child's body surface area (BSA) is burned?Trauma
  38. 38.A 50-year-old male is experiencing severe chest pain. He has a history of hypertension and takes prescribed medication for it. You administer sublingual nitroglycerin as per protocol. Approximately 2 minutes later, he complains of a headache. What is the most likely cause of this headache?Pharmacology
  39. 39.A 68-year-old female presents with severe pain and swelling to her left ankle after twisting it while walking down a curb. She has a history of osteoporosis. Upon examination, you note significant deformity and crepitus. Her distal pulses are strong, and sensation is intact. What is the MOST critical immediate intervention for this patient?Trauma
  40. 40.A 35-year-old male is experiencing acute onset of severe anxiety and a panic attack. He states he feels 'like he's going to die.' His heart rate is 130 bpm, respirations 28 bpm, and blood pressure 150/90 mmHg. He has no history of cardiac issues or asthma. Which of the following medications, if available and within local protocol, would be most appropriate for an EMT to administer to help calm the patient and reduce his anxiety?Pharmacology
  41. 41.A 48-year-old male is experiencing acute onset chest pain. He has a prescribed nitroglycerin spray. Before assisting him with administration, the EMT should first inquire about:Pharmacology
  42. 42.A 10-year-old male is experiencing an allergic reaction after eating peanuts. He is conscious, alert, and complains of hives, generalized itching, and mild shortness of breath. His vital signs are: BP 110/70 mmHg, HR 92 bpm, RR 20 bpm, SpO2 98%. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial intervention?Medical Emergencies
  43. 43.An EMT is treating a 60-year-old male presenting with classic signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI), including crushing chest pain radiating to his left arm, nausea, and diaphoresis. He denies any allergies. Which of the following medications should be administered first, assuming no contraindications, as per standard cardiac emergency protocols?Pharmacology
  44. 44.A 68-year-old male is experiencing shortness of breath and diffuse crackles in his lungs. His medical history includes congestive heart failure. The EMT is considering administering oxygen. What is the primary goal of oxygen administration in this patient?Pharmacology
  45. 45.A 45-year-old female is found unresponsive at home. Her husband states she has a history of depression and may have taken an entire bottle of her antidepressant medication. Her pupils are dilated, skin is warm and dry, and heart rate is 130 bpm. What class of medication is MOST likely responsible for her symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  46. 46.A 30-year-old male is experiencing an opioid overdose. He is unresponsive, has shallow respirations at 6 breaths per minute, and pinpoint pupils. His family states he took 'a few pills' an hour ago. You have Naloxone available. What is the typical adult dose and route for initial prehospital administration of Naloxone via auto-injector or intranasal route?Pharmacology
  47. 47.A 5-year-old child weighs 44 lbs (20 kg) and is experiencing a severe allergic reaction. The EMT needs to administer epinephrine via auto-injector. What is the appropriate dose for this child?Pharmacology
  48. 48.A 24-year-old female is found unresponsive. Her friends state she ingested an unknown quantity of pills. On arrival, she has pinpoint pupils, respiratory rate of 6 breaths/minute, and shallow breathing. Her pulse is 50 bpm and skin is cool and clammy. What is the MOST immediate intervention for this patient?Medical Emergencies
  49. 49.A 6-year-old child presents with a severe asthma exacerbation, experiencing significant respiratory distress and wheezing. The child weighs 22 kg. You are preparing to administer albuterol via nebulizer. The standard pediatric dose for albuterol nebulization is 2.5 mg diluted in 3 mL of normal saline. How many milliliters of a 0.083% albuterol solution (which contains 2.5 mg of albuterol per 3 mL) would you administer?Pharmacology
  50. 50.A 40-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain after being struck in the abdomen with a baseball bat. He is pale, diaphoretic, and his vital signs are BP 90/60 mmHg, HR 120 bpm, RR 24 breaths/min. Your PRIMARY concern is:Trauma