Page 1 of 71
NATE Exam: Core Essentials EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|120+Qs&As|A+GRADE
Q1. The first step in managing a patient with respiratory distress
is to:
a) Administer high-flow oxygen
b) Open the airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
c) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
d) Perform a jaw-thrust if trauma is suspected
Correct Answer: b) Open the airway
Rationale: Airway is the first priority in the ABCs. Open the airway
before providing oxygen or ventilation. Use head-tilt/chin-lift for
non-trauma; jaw-thrust for suspected spine injury.
Q2. A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and has a pulse.
The EMT should:
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a) Start chest compressions immediately
b) Provide rescue breaths at 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12
breaths/min)
c) Apply an AED
d) Place the patient in recovery position
Correct Answer: b) Provide rescue breaths
*Rationale: For a patient with a pulse but no breathing
(respiratory arrest), give rescue breaths at 1 breath every 5-6
seconds (10-12/min) for adults. Check pulse every 2 minutes.*
Q3. The appropriate tidal volume for an adult during bag-
valve-mask (BVM) ventilation is:
a) 200-300 mL
b) 500-600 mL (enough to cause visible chest rise)
c) 800-1000 mL
d) As much as possible
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Correct Answer: b) 500-600 mL (visible chest rise)
*Rationale: Overventilation can cause gastric distension and
decreased cardiac output. Deliver just enough volume to see
chest rise – approximately 500-600 mL per breath.*
Q4. A patient with a stoma (tracheostomy) is in respiratory
distress. The EMT should:
a) Seal the mouth and nose and ventilate through the stoma
b) Use a pediatric mask over the stoma
c) Perform mouth-to-stoma ventilation
d) Both a and c
Correct Answer: d) Both a and c
Rationale: For a patient with a stoma, ventilate through the stoma.
Seal the mouth and nose to prevent air escape. Use a BVM with a
pediatric mask or a specialized stoma adapter. Mouth-to-stoma is
acceptable if no equipment.
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Q5. A patient with suspected opioid overdose has a respiratory
rate of 6 breaths per minute. After opening the airway, the EMT
should:
a) Administer naloxone (Narcan) intranasally or IM
b) Provide BVM ventilation with 100% oxygen
c) Start CPR
d) Place in recovery position
Correct Answer: b) Provide BVM ventilation
Rationale: Naloxone is important but ventilation is the priority.
Opioid-induced respiratory depression requires immediate positive
pressure ventilation. Give naloxone after ventilating.
Q6. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing?
a) Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
b) Equal chest rise bilaterally
c) Use of accessory muscles (neck, intercostals)
d) Clear lung sounds
NATE Exam: Core Essentials EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|120+Qs&As|A+GRADE
Q1. The first step in managing a patient with respiratory distress
is to:
a) Administer high-flow oxygen
b) Open the airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
c) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
d) Perform a jaw-thrust if trauma is suspected
Correct Answer: b) Open the airway
Rationale: Airway is the first priority in the ABCs. Open the airway
before providing oxygen or ventilation. Use head-tilt/chin-lift for
non-trauma; jaw-thrust for suspected spine injury.
Q2. A patient is unresponsive, not breathing, and has a pulse.
The EMT should:
,Page 2 of 71
a) Start chest compressions immediately
b) Provide rescue breaths at 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12
breaths/min)
c) Apply an AED
d) Place the patient in recovery position
Correct Answer: b) Provide rescue breaths
*Rationale: For a patient with a pulse but no breathing
(respiratory arrest), give rescue breaths at 1 breath every 5-6
seconds (10-12/min) for adults. Check pulse every 2 minutes.*
Q3. The appropriate tidal volume for an adult during bag-
valve-mask (BVM) ventilation is:
a) 200-300 mL
b) 500-600 mL (enough to cause visible chest rise)
c) 800-1000 mL
d) As much as possible
,Page 3 of 71
Correct Answer: b) 500-600 mL (visible chest rise)
*Rationale: Overventilation can cause gastric distension and
decreased cardiac output. Deliver just enough volume to see
chest rise – approximately 500-600 mL per breath.*
Q4. A patient with a stoma (tracheostomy) is in respiratory
distress. The EMT should:
a) Seal the mouth and nose and ventilate through the stoma
b) Use a pediatric mask over the stoma
c) Perform mouth-to-stoma ventilation
d) Both a and c
Correct Answer: d) Both a and c
Rationale: For a patient with a stoma, ventilate through the stoma.
Seal the mouth and nose to prevent air escape. Use a BVM with a
pediatric mask or a specialized stoma adapter. Mouth-to-stoma is
acceptable if no equipment.
, Page 4 of 71
Q5. A patient with suspected opioid overdose has a respiratory
rate of 6 breaths per minute. After opening the airway, the EMT
should:
a) Administer naloxone (Narcan) intranasally or IM
b) Provide BVM ventilation with 100% oxygen
c) Start CPR
d) Place in recovery position
Correct Answer: b) Provide BVM ventilation
Rationale: Naloxone is important but ventilation is the priority.
Opioid-induced respiratory depression requires immediate positive
pressure ventilation. Give naloxone after ventilating.
Q6. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing?
a) Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
b) Equal chest rise bilaterally
c) Use of accessory muscles (neck, intercostals)
d) Clear lung sounds
