NYS EMT-B STATE WRITTEN EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026 | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS!
Question 1
For a patient with a suspected lumbar spinal injury, the BEST device for moving the patient as a
single unit over uneven terrain is the:
A) wheeled stretcher
B) long spine board
C) flexible stretcher
D) short spine board
E) scoop stretcher
Correct Answer: B) long spine board
Rationale: The long spine board (LSB) provides the rigid support necessary to keep the
entire spine in alignment as a single unit. It is the preferred choice for moving patients
across uneven terrain where a wheeled stretcher would be unstable. Flexible stretchers do
not provide spinal immobilization, and short boards are used for extrication from seated
positions.
Question 2
Which of the following is the best indicator of the quality of ventilations?
A) chest expansion
B) pupil size
C) blood pressure
D) skin color
E) heart rate
Correct Answer: A) chest expansion
Rationale: Adequate chest rise and fall is the most immediate and reliable physical sign that
air is actually entering the lungs. While skin color improves over time with better
oxygenation, chest expansion confirms the mechanical success of the ventilation itself.
Question 3
What is the best measure of respiration (the exchange of gases at the cellular level)?
A) respiratory rate
B) chest expansion
C) skin color
D) pulse oximetry
E) capillary refill
Correct Answer: C) skin color
Rationale: Skin color (and pulse oximetry) is a better indicator of respiration than
ventilation. Ventilation is the mechanical act of moving air, while respiration is the
, 2
exchange of gases. Cyanosis (blue skin) or pink, healthy skin provides an indication of
whether that gas exchange is occurring effectively.
Question 4
Unless additional suctioning time is necessary to clear the airway, an adult patient should be
suctioned for NO LONGER THAN:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
E) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 15 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning removes oxygen as well as fluids. To prevent hypoxia, suctioning is
limited to 15 seconds for an adult. If secretions remain, the EMT should
oxygenate/ventilate the patient before repeating the suction pass.
Question 5
During single-rescuer CPR, which of the following ventilation devices would be MOST effective
for ventilating a patient?
A) Non-rebreather mask (NRB)
B) Pocket mask with oxygen
C) Flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD)
D) BVM without oxygen
E) Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B) Pocket mask with oxygen
Rationale: A pocket mask allows a single rescuer to use both hands to maintain a tight seal
on the patient's face while providing ventilations. It is often more effective than a BVM for
a single rescuer, as maintaining a proper seal with one hand on a BVM is difficult.
Question 6
While performing ventilations on an infant or child in respiratory arrest, you should ventilate
every:
A) 5-6 seconds
B) 3-5 seconds
C) 1-2 seconds
D) 8-10 seconds
E) 10-12 seconds
Correct Answer: B) 3-5 seconds
Rationale: For pediatric patients (infants and children), the rescue breathing rate is faster
than for adults. Providing a breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths per minute) ensures
adequate ventilation for their higher metabolic needs.
, 3
Question 7
The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) will help keep the tongue away from the:
A) Posterior pharyngeal wall
B) Nasal passage
C) Epiglottis
D) Posterior larynx
E) Trachea
Correct Answer: A) Posterior pharyngeal wall
Rationale: In an unconscious patient, the tongue often falls backward due to loss of muscle
tone. The OPA is curved to fit over the tongue and hold it forward, preventing it from
occluding the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Question 8
You are called to the home of a patient who is on physician-prescribed low-concentration oxygen
and who is NOT in acute respiratory distress. Which type of oxygen delivery device should you
use during transport?
A) Non-rebreather mask (NRB)
B) Flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD)
C) BVM with supplemental oxygen
D) Nasal cannula
E) Venturi mask
Correct Answer: D) Nasal cannula
Rationale: If a patient is stable and already prescribed low-flow oxygen, the EMT should
maintain that therapy during transport. A nasal cannula is appropriate for low-
concentration delivery (24-44%) when the patient is not in acute distress.
Question 9
An EMS provider is treating a patient who has a head injury resulting from a blow by a baseball
bat. What other problem is likely to be present?
A) Hypothermia
B) Hypertensive shock due to blood loss
C) Spinal injuries
D) Lung collapse
E) Diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: C) Spinal injuries
Rationale: In any case of significant blunt trauma to the head, the EMT must assume that
the force was transmitted to the cervical spine. Manual stabilization and spinal precautions
are mandatory.
Question 10
In a HEALTHY person, respiration is controlled by the level of:
, 4
A) carbon dioxide
B) blood sugar
C) oxygen
D) carbon monoxide
E) nitrogen
Correct Answer: A) carbon dioxide
Rationale: The primary drive to breathe in a healthy individual is the level of CO2 in the
blood. As CO2 levels rise, the pH drops, and the brainstem signals the body to increase the
rate and depth of breathing.
Question 11
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the stimulus to breathe is often
controlled by:
A) High CO2 levels
B) Low O2 levels
C) High blood sugar
D) High oxygen levels
E) Low CO2 levels
Correct Answer: B) Low O2 levels
Rationale: Chronic COPD patients may become insensitive to high CO2 levels. Their body
adapts to rely on "hypoxic drive," where the primary stimulus to breathe is a low level of
oxygen in the blood.
Question 12
In conducting the Primary Assessment of a conscious patient, the EMS provider must attend to
the patient's emergency needs in the order of:
A) Respiration, Pulse, Bleeding
B) Pulse, Bleeding, Respiration
C) Pulse, Respiration, Bleeding
D) Bleeding, Pulse, Respiration
E) History, Vital Signs, Airway
Correct Answer: A) Respiration, Pulse, Bleeding
Rationale: This follows the standard A-B-C (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) sequence.
Identifying and treating airway/respiratory issues is the first priority, followed by pulse
assessment and then controlling major hemorrhage.
Question 13
A patient with acute respiratory distress requiring oxygen therapy is LEAST likely to exhibit:
A) a slow pulse rate
B) anxiety
C) nasal flaring
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS!
Question 1
For a patient with a suspected lumbar spinal injury, the BEST device for moving the patient as a
single unit over uneven terrain is the:
A) wheeled stretcher
B) long spine board
C) flexible stretcher
D) short spine board
E) scoop stretcher
Correct Answer: B) long spine board
Rationale: The long spine board (LSB) provides the rigid support necessary to keep the
entire spine in alignment as a single unit. It is the preferred choice for moving patients
across uneven terrain where a wheeled stretcher would be unstable. Flexible stretchers do
not provide spinal immobilization, and short boards are used for extrication from seated
positions.
Question 2
Which of the following is the best indicator of the quality of ventilations?
A) chest expansion
B) pupil size
C) blood pressure
D) skin color
E) heart rate
Correct Answer: A) chest expansion
Rationale: Adequate chest rise and fall is the most immediate and reliable physical sign that
air is actually entering the lungs. While skin color improves over time with better
oxygenation, chest expansion confirms the mechanical success of the ventilation itself.
Question 3
What is the best measure of respiration (the exchange of gases at the cellular level)?
A) respiratory rate
B) chest expansion
C) skin color
D) pulse oximetry
E) capillary refill
Correct Answer: C) skin color
Rationale: Skin color (and pulse oximetry) is a better indicator of respiration than
ventilation. Ventilation is the mechanical act of moving air, while respiration is the
, 2
exchange of gases. Cyanosis (blue skin) or pink, healthy skin provides an indication of
whether that gas exchange is occurring effectively.
Question 4
Unless additional suctioning time is necessary to clear the airway, an adult patient should be
suctioned for NO LONGER THAN:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 20 seconds
E) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 15 seconds
Rationale: Suctioning removes oxygen as well as fluids. To prevent hypoxia, suctioning is
limited to 15 seconds for an adult. If secretions remain, the EMT should
oxygenate/ventilate the patient before repeating the suction pass.
Question 5
During single-rescuer CPR, which of the following ventilation devices would be MOST effective
for ventilating a patient?
A) Non-rebreather mask (NRB)
B) Pocket mask with oxygen
C) Flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD)
D) BVM without oxygen
E) Nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B) Pocket mask with oxygen
Rationale: A pocket mask allows a single rescuer to use both hands to maintain a tight seal
on the patient's face while providing ventilations. It is often more effective than a BVM for
a single rescuer, as maintaining a proper seal with one hand on a BVM is difficult.
Question 6
While performing ventilations on an infant or child in respiratory arrest, you should ventilate
every:
A) 5-6 seconds
B) 3-5 seconds
C) 1-2 seconds
D) 8-10 seconds
E) 10-12 seconds
Correct Answer: B) 3-5 seconds
Rationale: For pediatric patients (infants and children), the rescue breathing rate is faster
than for adults. Providing a breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths per minute) ensures
adequate ventilation for their higher metabolic needs.
, 3
Question 7
The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) will help keep the tongue away from the:
A) Posterior pharyngeal wall
B) Nasal passage
C) Epiglottis
D) Posterior larynx
E) Trachea
Correct Answer: A) Posterior pharyngeal wall
Rationale: In an unconscious patient, the tongue often falls backward due to loss of muscle
tone. The OPA is curved to fit over the tongue and hold it forward, preventing it from
occluding the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Question 8
You are called to the home of a patient who is on physician-prescribed low-concentration oxygen
and who is NOT in acute respiratory distress. Which type of oxygen delivery device should you
use during transport?
A) Non-rebreather mask (NRB)
B) Flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD)
C) BVM with supplemental oxygen
D) Nasal cannula
E) Venturi mask
Correct Answer: D) Nasal cannula
Rationale: If a patient is stable and already prescribed low-flow oxygen, the EMT should
maintain that therapy during transport. A nasal cannula is appropriate for low-
concentration delivery (24-44%) when the patient is not in acute distress.
Question 9
An EMS provider is treating a patient who has a head injury resulting from a blow by a baseball
bat. What other problem is likely to be present?
A) Hypothermia
B) Hypertensive shock due to blood loss
C) Spinal injuries
D) Lung collapse
E) Diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: C) Spinal injuries
Rationale: In any case of significant blunt trauma to the head, the EMT must assume that
the force was transmitted to the cervical spine. Manual stabilization and spinal precautions
are mandatory.
Question 10
In a HEALTHY person, respiration is controlled by the level of:
, 4
A) carbon dioxide
B) blood sugar
C) oxygen
D) carbon monoxide
E) nitrogen
Correct Answer: A) carbon dioxide
Rationale: The primary drive to breathe in a healthy individual is the level of CO2 in the
blood. As CO2 levels rise, the pH drops, and the brainstem signals the body to increase the
rate and depth of breathing.
Question 11
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the stimulus to breathe is often
controlled by:
A) High CO2 levels
B) Low O2 levels
C) High blood sugar
D) High oxygen levels
E) Low CO2 levels
Correct Answer: B) Low O2 levels
Rationale: Chronic COPD patients may become insensitive to high CO2 levels. Their body
adapts to rely on "hypoxic drive," where the primary stimulus to breathe is a low level of
oxygen in the blood.
Question 12
In conducting the Primary Assessment of a conscious patient, the EMS provider must attend to
the patient's emergency needs in the order of:
A) Respiration, Pulse, Bleeding
B) Pulse, Bleeding, Respiration
C) Pulse, Respiration, Bleeding
D) Bleeding, Pulse, Respiration
E) History, Vital Signs, Airway
Correct Answer: A) Respiration, Pulse, Bleeding
Rationale: This follows the standard A-B-C (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) sequence.
Identifying and treating airway/respiratory issues is the first priority, followed by pulse
assessment and then controlling major hemorrhage.
Question 13
A patient with acute respiratory distress requiring oxygen therapy is LEAST likely to exhibit:
A) a slow pulse rate
B) anxiety
C) nasal flaring
