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NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive Exam practice questions

200 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 51.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
  2. 52.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
  3. 53.An EMT is treating a 68-year-old male presenting with chest pain. He has a history of angina and states he has taken one dose of his prescribed nitroglycerin sublingually about five minutes ago. His current blood pressure is 88/52 mmHg, and his heart rate is 110 bpm. Which of the following is the most appropriate action regarding further nitroglycerin administration?Pharmacology
  4. 54.A 28-year-old female is experiencing severe shortness of breath and wheezing due to an acute asthma attack. She has a prescription for an albuterol metered-dose inhaler (MDI). You instruct her on how to use it. Which of the following instructions is most critical for ensuring effective delivery of the medication?Pharmacology
  5. 55.A 72-year-old male, known diabetic, is found unresponsive by his family. His skin is warm and dry, and he has deep, rapid respirations with a fruity odor to his breath. His blood glucose level is 480 mg/dL. What is the most likely cause of his condition?Medical Emergencies
  6. 56.A 55-year-old male is experiencing sudden, severe, tearing back pain that radiates to his abdomen. He is pale, diaphoretic, and his radial pulses are weak and unequal. His blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg and heart rate is 110 bpm. What is the most appropriate initial management for this patient?Medical Emergencies
  7. 57.An EMT is treating a patient with a suspected opioid overdose. The patient is unresponsive, apneic, and has pinpoint pupils. After ensuring airway and ventilatory support, the EMT plans to administer Naloxone intranasally. Which of the following best describes the pharmacokinetic principle that allows intranasal Naloxone to be effective in this emergency?Pharmacology
  8. 58.A 45-year-old female complains of severe, cramping abdominal pain that started suddenly after eating a large fatty meal. She describes the pain as being in the right upper quadrant and radiating to her right shoulder. She is nauseated and has vomited once. Her vital signs are stable. What is the MOST likely cause of her symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  9. 59.An EMT is assessing a 6-year-old male who presents with a sudden onset of high fever (103°F/39.4°C), difficulty swallowing, and muffled voice. He is sitting upright, leaning forward, with his chin extended. His parents report that he has not been vaccinated. What is the MOST critical intervention the EMT should be prepared to perform?Medical Emergencies
  10. 60.A 45-year-old female complains of sudden onset of severe, cramping abdominal pain that started suddenly after eating a fatty meal. She states the pain is located in the right upper quadrant and radiates to her right shoulder. She denies fever or vomiting. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  11. 61.A 19-year-old female was found unresponsive after spending several hours hiking in extreme heat. Her skin is hot, red, and dry. She has a rapid, weak pulse. This presentation is MOST indicative of:Trauma
  12. 62.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
  13. 63.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
  14. 64.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
  15. 65.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
  16. 66.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
  17. 67.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
  18. 68.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
  19. 69.A 22-year-old male was involved in a diving accident and hit his head on the bottom of a shallow pool. He is conscious but complains of numbness and tingling in both legs. You should immediately:Trauma
  20. 70.A 28-year-old female, 30 weeks pregnant, complains of sudden onset of severe, constant abdominal pain and dark red vaginal bleeding. On examination, her abdomen is rigid and tender. She is tachycardic and hypotensive. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  21. 71.A 28-year-old female, 32 weeks pregnant, reports sudden onset of painless, bright red vaginal bleeding. She denies abdominal pain or trauma. Her vital signs are BP 100/70 mmHg, HR 98 bpm, RR 18 bpm. What is the MOST likely cause of her bleeding?Medical Emergencies
  22. 72.An EMT is assisting a 55-year-old male with a history of diabetes who is experiencing altered mental status and diaphoresis. His blood glucose level is 45 mg/dL. The patient is conscious and able to swallow. Which of the following medications is most appropriate to administer?Pharmacology
  23. 73.A 45-year-old male presents with a deep laceration to his forearm after falling through a glass window. Bright red blood is spurting rhythmically from the wound. He is conscious but appears anxious. What is the MOST appropriate initial action to control this bleeding?Trauma
  24. 74.A 25-year-old male was impaled through his chest by a metal rod during an industrial accident. The rod is approximately 2 feet long and still protruding from his chest. Your MOST appropriate action is to:Trauma
  25. 75.A 68-year-old male is found unconscious with a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. His wife states he is a diabetic and took his insulin this morning but has not eaten since. His blood glucose level is 45 mg/dL. What is the MOST appropriate intervention for this patient?Medical Emergencies
  26. 76.A 5-year-old male is experiencing a sudden onset of difficulty breathing, stridor, and a 'barking' cough. His parents state he had a low-grade fever and runny nose for the past two days. He is alert and sitting comfortably on his mother's lap. What is the most likely cause of his symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  27. 77.A 30-year-old female is found unresponsive at home. Her husband reports she has a history of depression and may have taken an overdose of her medication. On assessment, she has dilated pupils, dry skin, a heart rate of 130 bpm, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg. Her ECG shows a wide QRS complex. What class of medication overdose is most likely?Medical Emergencies
  28. 78.An EMT is assisting a 62-year-old female with her prescribed oral glucose for suspected hypoglycemia. The patient is conscious but disoriented and unable to follow commands to swallow safely. What is the most appropriate action for the EMT?Pharmacology
  29. 79.A 72-year-old female with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing acute shortness of breath. Her prescribed medication is albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following best describes the primary pharmacodynamic effect of albuterol that will relieve her symptoms?Pharmacology
  30. 80.A 19-year-old female is found hyperventilating, complaining of numbness and tingling in her fingers and toes. She is visibly distressed and states she just had a fight with her boyfriend. Her skin is pale and cool. What is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?Medical Emergencies
  31. 81.A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever (103°F / 39.4°C) and irritability. The parents report giving the child acetaminophen (Tylenol) approximately two hours ago. They cannot recall the dosage given. You are considering administering ibuprofen. What is a key pharmacokinetic consideration when administering a second antipyretic after another has already been given?Pharmacology
  32. 82.A 40-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain after being struck in the abdomen with a baseball bat. He is conscious and alert, but his abdomen is rigid and distended. His vital signs are BP 100/70 mmHg, HR 110 bpm, RR 22 bpm. What is the MOST immediate concern for this patient?Trauma
  33. 83.A 6-month-old infant is found unresponsive with a temperature of 105°F (40.6°C) and a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. His parents report a recent viral illness. What is the most appropriate initial action for the EMT?Medical Emergencies
  34. 84.A 30-year-old male was found unresponsive in a cold alleyway. His skin is cold to the touch, and he has a weak, slow pulse. Your IMMEDIATE priority in managing this patient is to:Trauma
  35. 85.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
  36. 86.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
  37. 87.A 4-year-old child accidentally spilled hot coffee on his arm, resulting in a large blister covering the entire anterior surface of his left forearm. Using the Rule of Nines, what percentage of the child's body surface area (BSA) is burned?Trauma
  38. 88.A 35-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain that started suddenly after eating a large, fatty meal. He describes the pain as a sharp, constant ache in the right upper quadrant, radiating to his right shoulder. He is nauseated and has vomited once. His vital signs are stable. What is the MOST likely cause of his symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  39. 89.A 22-year-old male was involved in a diving accident and hit his head on the bottom of a shallow pool. He is conscious, but complains of numbness and tingling in his hands and feet. His vital signs are stable. What is the MOST critical immediate intervention for this patient?Trauma
  40. 90.A 68-year-old female is found unresponsive in her home. Her caregiver reports a history of Alzheimer's disease and that the patient has been refusing to eat or drink for the past two days. Her skin is dry and turgor is poor. Vital signs are BP 80/50 mmHg, HR 120 bpm, RR 24 bpm, Temp 99.8°F (37.7°C). What is the most likely immediate life threat?Medical Emergencies
  41. 91.A 65-year-old male with a history of heart failure is experiencing acute pulmonary edema. His blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg, and he is severely dyspneic with crackles in all lung fields. You are considering administering sublingual nitroglycerin per protocol. What is the primary pharmacodynamic effect of nitroglycerin that directly alleviates pulmonary edema?Pharmacology
  42. 92.A 78-year-old male, a resident of a long-term care facility, presents with new-onset confusion, weakness, and a low-grade fever (100.4°F/38°C). His caregiver reports he has been less active and has a decreased appetite over the past 24 hours. There are no other obvious signs of illness. What is the MOST likely cause of his symptoms?Medical Emergencies
  43. 93.A 55-year-old male was involved in a head-on motor vehicle collision. He complains of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Upon examination, you note paradoxical motion of a segment of his anterior chest wall. This finding is characteristic of:Trauma
  44. 94.A 50-year-old male was struck in the head with a baseball bat. He is conscious but confused, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 12. His vital signs are BP 160/90 mmHg, HR 50 bpm, RR 8 breaths/min. These vital signs are MOST indicative of which condition?Trauma
  45. 95.A 5-year-old male is experiencing a sudden onset of difficulty breathing, stridor, and a 'seal-bark' cough. His parents state he had a cold for a few days, and his symptoms worsened overnight. He is afebrile. What is the MOST likely cause of his respiratory distress?Medical Emergencies
  46. 96.A 35-year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle collision. He complains of severe pain in his left thigh and you note significant deformity and swelling. His vital signs are stable, but he appears pale and anxious. What type of splint is MOST appropriate for this injury?Trauma
  47. 97.A 25-year-old male is found unresponsive with pinpoint pupils and shallow respirations at a rate of 6 breaths per minute. He has track marks on his arms. The EMT suspects an opioid overdose. What is the appropriate initial dose of naloxone for this patient?Pharmacology
  48. 98.A 45-year-old male is experiencing a severe allergic reaction after being stung by a bee. He is conscious but anxious, with widespread urticaria, wheezing, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg. He has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. After ensuring the 5 'rights' of medication administration, which route would be most appropriate for administering epinephrine?Pharmacology
  49. 99.A 22-year-old female presents with sudden onset of severe, crushing chest pain that radiates to her left arm. She states she has a history of recreational drug use. Her vital signs are BP 160/100 mmHg, HR 110 bpm, RR 20 bpm. Which substance is MOST likely associated with these symptoms in this patient?Medical Emergencies
  50. 100.A 16-year-old female is found by her parents in her bedroom, confused and disoriented. She has a history of Type 1 diabetes. Her breath has a fruity odor, and her respirations are deep and rapid. Her blood glucose level is 'HIGH' on the glucometer. What is the MOST likely cause of her altered mental status?Medical Emergencies