Free NREMT EMT Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

NREMT legal education differentiates between slander and libel, both forms of defamation.

Option D (Libel) is correct because libel involves false written statements that harm a person’s reputation. In this scenario, the partner’s written claim falsely attributes improper treatment to you.

Option A (Slander) refers to spoken false statements.

Option B (Malice) describes intent, not a legal category of defamation.

Option C (Battery) is unlawful physical contact with a patient.

Understanding legal terminology helps EMTs protect themselves professionally and legally.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

According to Pediatric Basic Life Support (PBLS) guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA), when a child becomes unresponsive due to foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), the immediate next step is to begin chest compressions. This is done before checking the airway or giving breaths because the airway is presumed obstructed. The compressions may dislodge the object.

After 30 compressions, open the airway and check for visible objects. If none are seen, attempt rescue breaths. This protocol reflects the high risk of complete airway blockage in children with sudden collapse following a choking episode.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (Based on NREMT standards):

Upon arrival, EMTs must immediately perform a scene size-up, which focuses on safety and incident management rather than patient treatment.

Option A (Identifying hazards) is correct because recognizing dangers such as traffic, fire, violence, or hazardous materials is essential to prevent responder injury.

Option E (Requesting additional resources) is correct because early recognition of the need for more personnel, ALS support, fire services, or law enforcement improves patient outcomes and scene control.

Option B is incorrect because ruling out life threats occurs during the primary assessment, not immediately upon arrival.

Option C is incorrect because patient treatment must wait until scene safety is confirmed.

Option D is incorrect because PPE use is a personal responsibility, not a primary scene-arrival task.

NREMT stresses that effective EMS operations begin with safety, situational awareness, and resource management.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is a classic presentation of hypovolemic shock due to traumatic blood 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) = indicates decompensated shock

Obstructive and distributive shock are not applicable. Compensated shock would show normal BP and alert mental status.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The symptoms described are classic 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 like FAST:

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:

This patient is showing signs of epiglottitis or a serious upper airway obstruction — drooling, difficulty swallowing, fever, and tripod positioning.

EMT actions should include:

Position of comfort to avoid airway agitation

Gentle suctioning if secretions threaten airway

Do not force the patient to lie flat, as this may worsen airway compromise. CPAP and humidified oxygen may be considered in hospital care but not as first-line interventions during prehospital airway management in epiglottitis.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The first step in hemorrhage control for external bleeding is always direct pressure using gloved hands or dressing. Only if this fails or the bleeding is severe and life-threatening (especially from extremities) should a tourniquet be applied.

Assessing the airway is critical in overall trauma care but not the first priority in isolated extremity hemorrhage. Severity assessment is secondary to bleeding control.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Contraindications to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) include:

Hypotension: CPAP can reduce preload and worsen shock (BP < 90 systolic is a contraindication)

Respiratory rate too low: A rate of 10 is at the low threshold; CPAP requires spontaneous adequate effort

Active vomiting or nausea: CPAP increases aspiration risk

Crackles and hypoxia are indications, not contraindications, for CPAP. Pulse rate does not influence CPAP use directly.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (Based on NREMT standards):

The patient’s signs—hip pain, deformity, and leg shortening—are consistent with a proximal femur or hip fracture. NREMT trauma care emphasizes immobilization, pain reduction, and prevention of further injury.

Option C (Apply mild traction) is appropriate to reduce muscle spasm and pain when a femur fracture is suspected and no contraindications are present.

Option D (Splint with blankets and pillows) is correct because soft splinting stabilizes the injury and limits movement during transport.

Option A is not required because oxygen saturation is adequate.

Option B is contraindicated because leg elevation may worsen pain or bleeding.

Option E is reserved for unstable pelvic fractures, not isolated hip fractures.

NREMT emphasizes gentle handling, immobilization, and rapid transport for suspected hip fractures.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The legal concept of tort negligence in 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 other intentional torts, but not core elements of proving negligence.