PrehosPital emergency care, 12th
edition mock exam – 100 Questions
with answers and rationales latest
Version 2022-2026
Question 1
A 56-year-old male collapses in a shopping mall. He is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. What should the EMT do first?
A. Obtain a medical history
B. Begin CPR
C. Apply oxygen
D. Check blood glucose
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: An unresponsive patient without normal breathing requires immediate
CPR. Early chest compressions improve survival in cardiac arrest.
Question 2
The first action an EMT should take when arriving at an emergency scene is:
,A. Perform a physical exam
B. Check the patient's pulse
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply a cervical collar
Correct Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: EMT safety comes first. Scene hazards must be identified before
patient care begins.
Question 3
The purpose of a scene size-up is to:
A. Determine the patient's insurance status
B. Identify hazards and resources needed
C. Perform a detailed medical assessment
D. Determine the final diagnosis
Correct Answer: B. Identify hazards and resources needed
Rationale: Scene size-up identifies safety concerns, mechanism of injury, number
of patients, and need for additional resources.
Question 4
Which type of consent allows an EMT to treat an unconscious patient?
A. Expressed consent
B. Implied consent
C. Informed refusal
D. Legal consent
Correct Answer: B. Implied consent
Rationale: Implied consent assumes a patient would want lifesaving treatment
when unable to provide consent.
,Question 5
The EMT's first priority during patient assessment is:
A. Obtaining a SAMPLE history
B. Managing life threats
C. Completing documentation
D. Determining insurance information
Correct Answer: B. Managing life threats
Rationale: Life-threatening airway, breathing, and circulation problems must be
treated immediately.
Question 6
The airway of an unconscious patient is most commonly blocked by:
A. Blood pressure changes
B. The tongue
C. A fractured bone
D. Stomach acid
Correct Answer: B. The tongue
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone allows the tongue to fall backward and obstruct
the airway.
Question 7
The preferred method for opening the airway of a trauma patient is:
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
, C. Finger sweep
D. Abdominal thrusts
Correct Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust opens the airway while minimizing movement of a
potentially injured spine.
Question 8
An adult patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min is experiencing:
A. Normal breathing
B. Bradypnea
C. Tachypnea
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B. Bradypnea
Rationale: Bradypnea is abnormally slow breathing, usually below 12 breaths/min
in adults.
Question 9
A patient who is breathing inadequately should receive:
A. Oral fluids
B. Assisted ventilations
C. A cold compress
D. Positioning only
Correct Answer: B. Assisted ventilations
Rationale: Patients who cannot adequately ventilate require support with a bag-
valve-mask or other ventilation device.
edition mock exam – 100 Questions
with answers and rationales latest
Version 2022-2026
Question 1
A 56-year-old male collapses in a shopping mall. He is unresponsive and not
breathing normally. What should the EMT do first?
A. Obtain a medical history
B. Begin CPR
C. Apply oxygen
D. Check blood glucose
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: An unresponsive patient without normal breathing requires immediate
CPR. Early chest compressions improve survival in cardiac arrest.
Question 2
The first action an EMT should take when arriving at an emergency scene is:
,A. Perform a physical exam
B. Check the patient's pulse
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply a cervical collar
Correct Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: EMT safety comes first. Scene hazards must be identified before
patient care begins.
Question 3
The purpose of a scene size-up is to:
A. Determine the patient's insurance status
B. Identify hazards and resources needed
C. Perform a detailed medical assessment
D. Determine the final diagnosis
Correct Answer: B. Identify hazards and resources needed
Rationale: Scene size-up identifies safety concerns, mechanism of injury, number
of patients, and need for additional resources.
Question 4
Which type of consent allows an EMT to treat an unconscious patient?
A. Expressed consent
B. Implied consent
C. Informed refusal
D. Legal consent
Correct Answer: B. Implied consent
Rationale: Implied consent assumes a patient would want lifesaving treatment
when unable to provide consent.
,Question 5
The EMT's first priority during patient assessment is:
A. Obtaining a SAMPLE history
B. Managing life threats
C. Completing documentation
D. Determining insurance information
Correct Answer: B. Managing life threats
Rationale: Life-threatening airway, breathing, and circulation problems must be
treated immediately.
Question 6
The airway of an unconscious patient is most commonly blocked by:
A. Blood pressure changes
B. The tongue
C. A fractured bone
D. Stomach acid
Correct Answer: B. The tongue
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone allows the tongue to fall backward and obstruct
the airway.
Question 7
The preferred method for opening the airway of a trauma patient is:
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
, C. Finger sweep
D. Abdominal thrusts
Correct Answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust opens the airway while minimizing movement of a
potentially injured spine.
Question 8
An adult patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min is experiencing:
A. Normal breathing
B. Bradypnea
C. Tachypnea
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B. Bradypnea
Rationale: Bradypnea is abnormally slow breathing, usually below 12 breaths/min
in adults.
Question 9
A patient who is breathing inadequately should receive:
A. Oral fluids
B. Assisted ventilations
C. A cold compress
D. Positioning only
Correct Answer: B. Assisted ventilations
Rationale: Patients who cannot adequately ventilate require support with a bag-
valve-mask or other ventilation device.
