Free NREMT EMT Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 3

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (Based on NREMT standards):

This scenario strongly suggests a hazardous environment involving chemical crowd-control agents such as tear gas or pepper spray. During the scene survey, NREMT prioritizes scene safety, hazard recognition, and incident size-up before any patient contact.

Option D (Determine the control agent being used) is correct because identifying the chemical agent helps determine the level of risk, appropriate personal protective equipment, and whether EMS can safely operate in the area.

Option E (Identify the number of patients) is correct because determining the number of patients is essential for assessing the scope of the incident and requesting additional resources if needed.

Option A is incorrect because removing restraints is not part of the initial scene survey and must be coordinated with law enforcement.

Option B is incorrect because patient decontamination occurs only after scene safety is ensured.

Option C is not a priority until hazards are identified and the scene is safe.

NREMT teaches that EMTs must never compromise their own safety and must fully assess hazards before providing care.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

To establish negligence, 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.

The cerebrum is the largest and most developed part of the human brain and is responsible for higher cognitive functions. According to NREMT anatomy and physiology education, the cerebrum controls thinking, reasoning, memory, judgment, voluntary movement, and sensory interpretation.

Option B is correct because conscious thought, problem-solving, and decision-making all originate in the cerebrum.

Option A (Pons) helps regulate breathing and sleep cycles.

Option C (Brain stem) controls vital functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Option D (Cerebellum) coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor movement.

Understanding brain function helps EMTs correlate neurological findings with possible injuries or medical conditions.

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) forces air into the lungs under pressure rather than relying on negative intrathoracic pressure. NREMT education emphasizes that while PPV is lifesaving, it carries important risks—most notably decreased venous return to the heart.

Option C (Profound hypotension) is correct because increased intrathoracic pressure reduces preload by compressing the vena cava, which can significantly lower cardiac output and blood pressure. This effect is especially pronounced in hypovolemic or trauma patients.

Option A is incorrect because diaphragmatic movement is not a complication.

Option B is unrelated to ventilation.

Option D describes a ventilation parameter, not a complication.

NREMT stresses careful ventilation rates and volumes to avoid hypotension, gastric inflation, and barotrauma.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Given fall with head trauma and absent respirations, the most concerning cause is spinal injury, particularly a cervical spine fracture. A high cervical injury (C1–C4) can paralyze the diaphragm, leading to apnea despite a beating heart.

Brain herniation can also depress respirations but often presents with unequal pupils, posturing, and Cushing’s triad (not described here). Commotio cordis is sudden cardiac arrest from blunt chest trauma (not head). Open pneumothorax affects chest mechanics, not directly linked here.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

After ROSC in an unresponsive patient, the left 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.

Personal injury prevention supplies are designed to protect EMS providers from physical injuries, rather than infection.

Option C (Pair of leather gloves) is correct because leather gloves protect against cuts, abrasions, and puncture injuries during rescue operations such as vehicle extrication.

Option D (N95 respirator) is personal protective equipment (PPE) for infection control, not injury prevention.

Option A and B are related to biohazard handling and decontamination.

NREMT differentiates PPE from injury-prevention equipment to ensure proper risk management.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) system classifies patients based on ability to walk, respirations, perfusion, and mental status. A patient with an open fracture who can breathe adequately, has a pulse, and follows commands is categorized as “Delayed”.

Immediate (Red) is reserved for those who cannot walk and have life-threatening conditions, such as compromised airway or severe bleeding.

This patient’s presentation—older age, severe back pain radiating to the chest, hypotension, and a pulsating abdominal mass—is highly suggestive of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). NREMT teaching stresses early recognition of life-threatening medical conditions and avoiding interventions that could worsen the patient’s condition.

Option A (Position of comfort) is correct because patients with suspected AAA should be kept calm and positioned in a way that minimizes pain and stress, which can reduce sympathetic stimulation and the risk of aneurysm rupture.

Option D (Supplemental oxygen) is correct because the patient’s SpO₂ is 89%, indicating hypoxia. NREMT guidelines recommend administering oxygen to maintain adequate oxygenation in critically ill or potentially unstable patients.

Option B is incorrect because AED pads are not indicated unless the patient is in cardiac arrest or has a high risk of imminent arrest. There is no evidence of dysrhythmia or arrest at this time.

Option C is incorrect because aspirin is indicated for suspected acute coronary syndromes, not AAA. Aspirin could worsen internal bleeding if the aneurysm ruptures.

Option E is incorrect because nitroglycerin can cause vasodilation and hypotension, potentially precipitating aneurysm rupture.

In summary, NREMT emphasizes supportive care, oxygenation, and rapid transport for suspected AAA while avoiding medications that increase bleeding risk or lower blood pressure.

NREMT guidelines specify that adult ventilations with a BVM should be delivered over approximately 1 second, just enough to see visible chest rise. Forceful, rapid ventilations increase the risk of gastric inflation, aspiration, barotrauma, and hypotension.

Option B is correct because slowing the rate and reducing force improves ventilation effectiveness and patient safety.

Option A may be important, but the primary error described is ventilation speed.

Option C is inappropriate for an apneic patient.

Option D is only indicated if the patient is pulseless.

NREMT emphasizes controlled, gentle ventilations to minimize complications.