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WEST COAST EMT
BLOCK 3 EXAMINATION
────────────────────────────────────────
2026/2027 Academic Year
Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician
100 Questions | NREMT-Aligned Curriculum
, West Coast EMT Block 3 Examination | 2026/2027
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Section 1: Trauma Assessment & Management .......................................................................................... 2
Questions 1–12.......................................................................................................................................... 2
Section 2: Medical Emergencies .................................................................................................................. 4
Questions 13–27 ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Section 3: Special Patient Populations ........................................................................................................ 6
Questions 28–40 ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Section 4: EMS Operations & Safety ........................................................................................................... 9
Questions 41–52 ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Section 5: Airway Management & Ventilation ........................................................................................... 11
Questions 53–64...................................................................................................................................... 11
Section 6: Patient Assessment Frameworks .............................................................................................. 13
Questions 65–75 ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Section 7: Pharmacology for EMTs ............................................................................................................ 15
Questions 76–87 ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Section 8: Legal/Ethical Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 17
Questions 88–95 ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Section 9: Scenario-Based Clinical Decision-Making................................................................................ 19
Questions 96–100 ................................................................................................................................... 19
Page 1 of 21
, West Coast EMT Block 3 Examination | 2026/2027
Section 1: Trauma Assessment & Management
Questions 1–12
1. Which component is assessed first in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A. Breathing
B. Circulation
C. Airway
D. Disability
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE approach, beginning with Airway
assessment and management as the first priority in trauma care per PHTLS guidelines.
2. A patient has a sucking chest wound. What is the most appropriate initial
intervention?
A. Chest decompression
B. Occlusive dressing taped on three sides
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Rationale: An occlusive dressing taped on three sides creates a flutter valve, allowing air to
escape but preventing re-entry during inspiration, managing an open pneumothorax.
3. Which type of shock is characterized by hypovolemia from blood loss?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Obstructive
C. Hemorrhagic
D. Septic
Rationale: Hemorrhagic shock results from significant blood loss causing inadequate
circulatory volume and tissue perfusion, classified as a form of hypovolemic shock.
4. What is the first step in controlling external hemorrhage?
A. Tourniquet application
B. Direct pressure
C. Pressure dressing
D. Hemostatic agent
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for external hemorrhage control per
current TCCC and prehospital guidelines, effective for most bleeding wounds.
5. When should a tourniquet be applied?
A. After direct pressure fails to control life-threatening extremity hemorrhage
B. As a first-line measure for all bleeding
C. Only under direct medical direction
D. Only for arterial bleeding
Rationale: Tourniquets are indicated when direct pressure fails to control severe extremity
hemorrhage, particularly in tactical and mass casualty settings per current guidelines.
6. Which finding indicates potential spinal injury requiring immobilization?
A. Pain on palpation of the abdomen
B. Tingling in the extremities
C. Deformity to the forearm
Page 2 of 21
WEST COAST EMT
BLOCK 3 EXAMINATION
────────────────────────────────────────
2026/2027 Academic Year
Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician
100 Questions | NREMT-Aligned Curriculum
, West Coast EMT Block 3 Examination | 2026/2027
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Section 1: Trauma Assessment & Management .......................................................................................... 2
Questions 1–12.......................................................................................................................................... 2
Section 2: Medical Emergencies .................................................................................................................. 4
Questions 13–27 ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Section 3: Special Patient Populations ........................................................................................................ 6
Questions 28–40 ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Section 4: EMS Operations & Safety ........................................................................................................... 9
Questions 41–52 ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Section 5: Airway Management & Ventilation ........................................................................................... 11
Questions 53–64...................................................................................................................................... 11
Section 6: Patient Assessment Frameworks .............................................................................................. 13
Questions 65–75 ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Section 7: Pharmacology for EMTs ............................................................................................................ 15
Questions 76–87 ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Section 8: Legal/Ethical Responsibilities .................................................................................................. 17
Questions 88–95 ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Section 9: Scenario-Based Clinical Decision-Making................................................................................ 19
Questions 96–100 ................................................................................................................................... 19
Page 1 of 21
, West Coast EMT Block 3 Examination | 2026/2027
Section 1: Trauma Assessment & Management
Questions 1–12
1. Which component is assessed first in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A. Breathing
B. Circulation
C. Airway
D. Disability
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE approach, beginning with Airway
assessment and management as the first priority in trauma care per PHTLS guidelines.
2. A patient has a sucking chest wound. What is the most appropriate initial
intervention?
A. Chest decompression
B. Occlusive dressing taped on three sides
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Positive pressure ventilation
Rationale: An occlusive dressing taped on three sides creates a flutter valve, allowing air to
escape but preventing re-entry during inspiration, managing an open pneumothorax.
3. Which type of shock is characterized by hypovolemia from blood loss?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Obstructive
C. Hemorrhagic
D. Septic
Rationale: Hemorrhagic shock results from significant blood loss causing inadequate
circulatory volume and tissue perfusion, classified as a form of hypovolemic shock.
4. What is the first step in controlling external hemorrhage?
A. Tourniquet application
B. Direct pressure
C. Pressure dressing
D. Hemostatic agent
Rationale: Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for external hemorrhage control per
current TCCC and prehospital guidelines, effective for most bleeding wounds.
5. When should a tourniquet be applied?
A. After direct pressure fails to control life-threatening extremity hemorrhage
B. As a first-line measure for all bleeding
C. Only under direct medical direction
D. Only for arterial bleeding
Rationale: Tourniquets are indicated when direct pressure fails to control severe extremity
hemorrhage, particularly in tactical and mass casualty settings per current guidelines.
6. Which finding indicates potential spinal injury requiring immobilization?
A. Pain on palpation of the abdomen
B. Tingling in the extremities
C. Deformity to the forearm
Page 2 of 21
