DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION
Program: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Module: Environmental & Exposure Emergencies
Academic Year: 2025/2026
You and your partner respond to a park where several people were reportedly struck by
lightning. When you arrive, you find three patients. The first patient is lying supine on the
ground; he is unresponsive and does not appear to be breathing. The second patient is
ambulatory, appears confused, and is holding his arm against his chest. The third patient is
sitting on the ground holding the sides of his head. After calling for backup, you should:
A. recognize that the patients who are conscious are at high risk for developing cardiac arrest
and quickly assess them for potentially life-threatening injuries.
B. assess the unresponsive patient's pulse, begin CPR starting with chest compressions if he is
pulseless, and attach the automated external defibrillator as soon as possible.
C. focus your initial treatment efforts on the patients who are conscious because the
unresponsive patient is likely in irreversible cardiac arrest.
D. immediately begin CPR on the unresponsive patient, but cease resuscitation efforts if there is
no response after five minutes of treatment.
B. assess the unresponsive patient's pulse, begin CPR starting with chest compressions if he is
pulseless, and attach the automated external defibrillator as soon as possible
You are transporting a 28-year-old man with a frostbitten foot. The patient's vital signs are
stable, and he denies any other injuries or symptoms. The weather is treacherous, and your
transport time to the hospital is approximately 45 minutes. During transport, you should:
A. administer oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
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, B. rewarm his foot in 102°F to 104°F (38.9°C to 40°C) water.
C. protect the affected part from further injury.
D. cover his foot with chemical heat compresses.
C. protect the affected part from further injury
Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4°F (34°C). She
is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her
skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. You should:
A. apply the automated external defibrillator in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest,
cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully.
B. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets;
and avoid rough handling.
C. sit her up and give her small sips of warm water to drink, place heat packs to her axillae and
groin, and cover her with blankets.
D. cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher to generate body heat
and increase her temperature.
B. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets;
and avoid rough handling
Which of the following statements regarding drowning is correct?
A. Artificial ventilations can easily be performed in patients with a laryngospasm.
B. Patients with a submersion injury might deteriorate rapidly because of pulmonary injury and
cerebral hypoxia.
C. Hypoxia in the drowning victim initially occurs due to water in the lungs.
D. Large amounts of water enter the lungs in a small number of drowning victims.
B. Patients with a submersion injury might deteriorate rapidly because of pulmonary injury and
cerebral hypoxia
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ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION
Program: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Module: Environmental & Exposure Emergencies
Academic Year: 2025/2026
You and your partner respond to a park where several people were reportedly struck by
lightning. When you arrive, you find three patients. The first patient is lying supine on the
ground; he is unresponsive and does not appear to be breathing. The second patient is
ambulatory, appears confused, and is holding his arm against his chest. The third patient is
sitting on the ground holding the sides of his head. After calling for backup, you should:
A. recognize that the patients who are conscious are at high risk for developing cardiac arrest
and quickly assess them for potentially life-threatening injuries.
B. assess the unresponsive patient's pulse, begin CPR starting with chest compressions if he is
pulseless, and attach the automated external defibrillator as soon as possible.
C. focus your initial treatment efforts on the patients who are conscious because the
unresponsive patient is likely in irreversible cardiac arrest.
D. immediately begin CPR on the unresponsive patient, but cease resuscitation efforts if there is
no response after five minutes of treatment.
B. assess the unresponsive patient's pulse, begin CPR starting with chest compressions if he is
pulseless, and attach the automated external defibrillator as soon as possible
You are transporting a 28-year-old man with a frostbitten foot. The patient's vital signs are
stable, and he denies any other injuries or symptoms. The weather is treacherous, and your
transport time to the hospital is approximately 45 minutes. During transport, you should:
A. administer oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
1|Page
, B. rewarm his foot in 102°F to 104°F (38.9°C to 40°C) water.
C. protect the affected part from further injury.
D. cover his foot with chemical heat compresses.
C. protect the affected part from further injury
Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4°F (34°C). She
is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her
skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. You should:
A. apply the automated external defibrillator in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest,
cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully.
B. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets;
and avoid rough handling.
C. sit her up and give her small sips of warm water to drink, place heat packs to her axillae and
groin, and cover her with blankets.
D. cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher to generate body heat
and increase her temperature.
B. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets;
and avoid rough handling
Which of the following statements regarding drowning is correct?
A. Artificial ventilations can easily be performed in patients with a laryngospasm.
B. Patients with a submersion injury might deteriorate rapidly because of pulmonary injury and
cerebral hypoxia.
C. Hypoxia in the drowning victim initially occurs due to water in the lungs.
D. Large amounts of water enter the lungs in a small number of drowning victims.
B. Patients with a submersion injury might deteriorate rapidly because of pulmonary injury and
cerebral hypoxia
2|Page
