NREMT PRACTICE Exam updated Questions and Answers
2023/2024
Hypoglycemia and acute ischemic stroke can present similarly because:
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
• B:the majority of stroke patients have a history of diabetes.
• C:the most common cause of a stroke is hypoglycemia.
• D:they are both caused by low levels of glucose in the blood. Correct answer(• A:both oxygen and
glucose are needed for brain function.
Reason: Although stroke and hypoglycemia are two distinctly different conditions, their signs and
symptoms are often similar. This is because the brain requires both oxygen and glucose to function
normally. An acute ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen to a part of the brain due to a
blocked cerebral artery, whereas hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) deprives the entire brain of
glucose. In either case, the patient presents with signs of impaired brain function (ie, slurred speech,
weakness, altered mental status). Both conditions may lead to permanent brain damage or death if not
treated promptly.
When dealing with an emotionally disturbed patient, you should be MOST concerned with:
• A:gathering all of the patient's medications.
• B:safely transporting to the hospital.
• C:whether the patient could harm you.
• D:obtaining a complete medical history. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: When managing any patient with an emotional or psychiatric crisis, your primary concern is
your own safety. Safely transporting the patient to the hospital is your ultimate goal. If possible, you
should attempt to obtain a medical history and should take any of the patient's prescribed medications
to the hospital. However, this should not supercede your own safety or interfere with safely
transporting the patient.
You are at the scene where a man panicked while swimming in a small lake. Your initial attempt to
rescue him should include:
• A:rowing a small raft to the victim.
• B:reaching for the victim with a long stick.
• C:throwing a rope to the victim.
• D:swimming to the victim to rescue him. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
Reason: General rules to follow when attempting to rescue a patient from the water include "reach,
throw, row, and then go." In this case, you should attempt to reach the victim by having him grab hold
of a large stick or similar object. If this is unsuccessful, throw the victim a rope or flotation device (if
available). If these are not available, row to the patient in a small raft (if available). Going into the
water to retrieve the victim is a last resort. The rescuer must be a strong swimmer because patients
who are in danger of drowning are in a state of blind panic and will make every attempt to keep
themselves afloat, even if it means forcing the rescuer underwater.
How should you classify a patient's nature of illness if he or she has a low blood glucose level, bizarre
behavior, and shallow breathing?
• A:Behavioral emergency
• B:Altered mental status
• C:Respiratory emergency
• D:Cardiac compromise Correct answer(The correct answer is B;
,Reason: The nature of illness (NOI) is the medical equivalent to mechanism of injury (MOI). Altered
mental status should be the suspected NOI in any patient with any fluctuation in level of
consciousness, which can range from bizarre behavior to complete unresponsiveness. Causes of an
altered mental status include hypo- or hyperglycemia, head trauma, stroke, behavioral crises, drug
overdose, and shock, among others.
A young female is unresponsive after overdosing on an unknown type of drug. Her respirations are
slow and shallow and her pulse is slow and weak. Which of the following drugs is the LEAST likely
cause of her condition?
• A:Seconal
• B:Heroin
• C:Cocaine
• D:Valium Correct answer(The correct answer is C;
Reason: Of the drugs listed, cocaine would be the least likely cause of the patient's condition. Cocaine
is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant; you would expect her to be hypertensive, tachycardic,
tachypneic, and perhaps even violent. Heroin, Valium, and Seconal are all CNS depressants and could
explain her condition. Heroin is an illegal narcotic (opiate), Valium is a benzodiazepine sedative-
hypnotic drug, and Seconal is a barbiturate. Narcotics, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates are all CNS
depressants. When taken in excess, they cause a decreased level of consciousness, respiratory
depression, bradycardia, and hypotension.
Activated charcoal is contraindicated for a patient who is:
• A:conscious and alert and has ingested a large amount of Motrin.
• B:emotionally upset and has ingested two bottles of aspirin.
• C:agitated and claims to have ingested a bottle of Tylenol.
• D:awake and alert and has swallowed a commercial drain cleaner. Correct answer(You selected D;
This is correct!
Reason:Activated charcoal adsorbs (sticks to) many ingested substances, preventing them from being
absorbed into the body by the stomach or intestines. In some cases, you may give activated charcoal to
patients who have ingested certain substances, if approved by medical control or local protocol.
Activated charcoal is contraindicated for patients who have ingested an acid or alkali (ie, drain cleaner)
or a petroleum product (ie, gasoline), who have a decreased level of consciousness and cannot protect
their own airway, or who are unable to swallow.
The MOST obvious way to reduce heat loss from radiation and convection is to:
• A:move away from a cold object.
• B:increase metabolism by shivering.
• C:wear a thick wind-proof jacket.
• D:move to a warmer environment. Correct answer(you selected D; This is correct!
Reason:In a cold environment, the body has two ways of staying warm: generating heat
(thermogenesis) and reducing heat loss. Radiation is the transfer of heat by radiant energy. The body
can lose heat by radiation, such as when a person stands in a cold room. Convection occurs when heat
is transferred to circulating air, as when cool air moves across the body's surface. A person standing in
windy cold weather, wearing lightweight clothing, is losing heat to the environment mostly by
convection. The quickest and most obvious way to decrease heat loss from radiation and convection is
to move out of the cold environment and seek shelter from wind. Shivering increases the body's
metabolism and is a mechanism for generating heat, not reducing heat loss. Layers of clothing trap air
and provide excellent insulation; thus, layered clothing decreases heat loss better than a single, thick
jacket. Conduction is the direct transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object by direct
contact, as when a warm hand touches cold metal or ice. The most obvious way to decrease heat loss
by conduction is to remove your hand from the cold object.
A near-drowning is MOST accurately defined as:
• A:complications within 24 hours following submersion in water.
,• B:immediate death due to prolonged submersion in water.
• C:survival for at least 24 hours following submersion in water.
• D:death greater than 24 hours following submersion in water. Correct answer(You selected C; This is
correct!
Reason:Collectively, drowning and near-drowning are referred to as submersion injuries. Drowning is
defined as death after submersion in a liquid medium, usually water. In a drowning, death is either
immediate or occurs within 24 hours following submersion. Near-drowning is defined as survival, at
least temporarily (24 hours), after submersion. It should be noted, however, that complications such as
pneumonia and pulmonary edema can cause death greater than 24 hours following submersion. For
this reason, all patients with a submersion injury should be transported to the hospital, even if they
appear fine at the scene.
A young woman reports significant weight loss over the last month, persistent fever, and night sweats.
When you assess her, you note the presence of dark purple lesions covering her trunk and upper
extremities. You should suspect:
• A:end-stage cancer.
• B:HIV/AIDS.
• C:tuberculosis.
• D:rheumatic fever. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:Weight loss, fever, and night sweats could indicate tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS; however, the
dark purple lesions on the skin, which are called Kaposi's sarcoma, are malignant skin tumors and are
a classic finding in patients in the later stages of AIDS.
A 48-year-old male became acutely hypoxic, experienced a seizure, and is now postictal. The MOST
effective way to prevent another seizure is to:
• A:dim the lights in the back of the ambulance.
• B:place him in the recovery position.
• C:administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
• D:give him oral glucose if he can swallow. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:You should administer high-flow oxygen to all patients who are actively seizing and to
patients who experienced a seizure and are postictal. This is especially true if the seizure was caused
by hypoxia. Increasing the oxygen content of the blood, which minimizes hypoxia, may prevent
another seizure. The recovery position is appropriate for uninjured patients with a decreased level of
consciousness and adequate breathing; it will help maintain the airway and facilitate drainage of
secretions from the mouth, but will not prevent another seizure. Oral glucose may prevent another
seizure if hypoglycemia was the cause of the seizure. You should dim the lights in the back of the
ambulance to help prevent any seizure, not just those that are caused by hypoxia.
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to be present in a patient who was
submerged in water?
• A:Spinal injury
• B:Gastric distention
• C:Hyperglycemia
• D:Laryngospasm Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: Many factors can contribute to or result from a submersion injury (eg, drowning, near-
drowning). It is not uncommon for a person to experience a spinal injury after diving head first into
shallow water, especially if he or she is under the influence of alcohol. When a swimmer panics, he or
she initially swallows large amounts of water, resulting in gastric distention. Gastric distention can
cause aspiration if the patient regurgitates water during rescue breathing; protect the airway! During
the panic phase, the victim expends a tremendous amount of energy (and glucose) from flailing around
in the water, possibly resulting in hypoglycemia. Inhaling even a small amount of fresh or salt water
, can severely irritate the larynx, which sends the muscles of the larynx and vocal cords into spasm
(laryngospasm), resulting in airway blockage and hypoxia.
A 42-year-old male presents with fever, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. He is conscious, but
confused. His wife tells you that he does not have any medical problems and does not take any
medications. You should be MOST suspicious for:
• A:acute stroke.
• B:influenza.
• C:meningitis.
• D:tuberculosis.
( Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord
(meninges). Common signs and symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, neck stiffness
(nuchal rigidity), and vomiting. An altered mental status is common in severe cases. Meningococcal
meningitis, caused by a bacterium, is the most contagious and potentially fatal type of meningitis. The
patient's signs and symptoms are not consistent with acute stroke, tuberculosis (TB), or influenza (the
flu). Although fever is common with both TB and the flu, neither causes neck stiffness. Acute stroke
may be associated with a headache, especially a hemorrhagic stroke; however, stroke patients typically
do not have a fever.
All of the following are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, EXCEPT:
• A:melena.
• B:hematemesis.
• C:tachycardia.
• D:hemoptysis. Correct answer(You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding include abdominal pain; vomiting blood
(hematemesis); the passage of dark, tarry stools (melena); and bright red rectal bleeding
(hematochezia). If blood loss is significant, the patient may have signs of shock (eg, tachycardia,
diaphoresis, tachypnea, hypotension). Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is a sign of a pulmonary injury,
not GI bleeding.
A 24-year-old female presents with a rash to her left leg and swollen, painful knee joints. She tells you
that she and her friends returned from a hiking trip in the mountains a week ago. She is conscious and
alert with a blood pressure of 112/62 mm Hg, a pulse of 84 beats/min, and respirations of 14
breaths/min. Her symptoms are MOST likely the result of:
• A:Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• B:tetanus.
• C:Lyme disease.
• D:a localized allergic reaction. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:The patient's symptoms and her history of a recent hiking trip are consistent with Lyme
disease, which was the result of a tick bite. Ticks can carry two infectious diseases: Lyme disease and
Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Both are spread through the tick's saliva, which is injected into the skin
when the tick attaches itself. The first symptom of Lyme disease, a rash that may spread to several
parts of the body, begins about 3 days after the bite of an infected tick. The rash may eventually
resemble a target bull's-eye pattern in one third of patients. After a few more days or weeks, painful
swelling of the joints, particularly the knees, occurs. If recognized and treated promptly with
antibiotics, many patients recover completely. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is not limited to
the Rocky Mountains, occurs within 7 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Its symptoms
include nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, paralysis, and possibly cardiopulmonary failure.
A 50-year-old woman who is conscious and alert complains of a severe migraine headache. When
caring for her, you should generally avoid:
• A:transporting her in a supine position.
• B:shining a light into her pupils.
• C:dimming the lights in the ambulance.
• D:applying ice packs to her forehead. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
2023/2024
Hypoglycemia and acute ischemic stroke can present similarly because:
• A:both oxygen and glucose are needed for brain function.
• B:the majority of stroke patients have a history of diabetes.
• C:the most common cause of a stroke is hypoglycemia.
• D:they are both caused by low levels of glucose in the blood. Correct answer(• A:both oxygen and
glucose are needed for brain function.
Reason: Although stroke and hypoglycemia are two distinctly different conditions, their signs and
symptoms are often similar. This is because the brain requires both oxygen and glucose to function
normally. An acute ischemic stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen to a part of the brain due to a
blocked cerebral artery, whereas hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) deprives the entire brain of
glucose. In either case, the patient presents with signs of impaired brain function (ie, slurred speech,
weakness, altered mental status). Both conditions may lead to permanent brain damage or death if not
treated promptly.
When dealing with an emotionally disturbed patient, you should be MOST concerned with:
• A:gathering all of the patient's medications.
• B:safely transporting to the hospital.
• C:whether the patient could harm you.
• D:obtaining a complete medical history. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: When managing any patient with an emotional or psychiatric crisis, your primary concern is
your own safety. Safely transporting the patient to the hospital is your ultimate goal. If possible, you
should attempt to obtain a medical history and should take any of the patient's prescribed medications
to the hospital. However, this should not supercede your own safety or interfere with safely
transporting the patient.
You are at the scene where a man panicked while swimming in a small lake. Your initial attempt to
rescue him should include:
• A:rowing a small raft to the victim.
• B:reaching for the victim with a long stick.
• C:throwing a rope to the victim.
• D:swimming to the victim to rescue him. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
Reason: General rules to follow when attempting to rescue a patient from the water include "reach,
throw, row, and then go." In this case, you should attempt to reach the victim by having him grab hold
of a large stick or similar object. If this is unsuccessful, throw the victim a rope or flotation device (if
available). If these are not available, row to the patient in a small raft (if available). Going into the
water to retrieve the victim is a last resort. The rescuer must be a strong swimmer because patients
who are in danger of drowning are in a state of blind panic and will make every attempt to keep
themselves afloat, even if it means forcing the rescuer underwater.
How should you classify a patient's nature of illness if he or she has a low blood glucose level, bizarre
behavior, and shallow breathing?
• A:Behavioral emergency
• B:Altered mental status
• C:Respiratory emergency
• D:Cardiac compromise Correct answer(The correct answer is B;
,Reason: The nature of illness (NOI) is the medical equivalent to mechanism of injury (MOI). Altered
mental status should be the suspected NOI in any patient with any fluctuation in level of
consciousness, which can range from bizarre behavior to complete unresponsiveness. Causes of an
altered mental status include hypo- or hyperglycemia, head trauma, stroke, behavioral crises, drug
overdose, and shock, among others.
A young female is unresponsive after overdosing on an unknown type of drug. Her respirations are
slow and shallow and her pulse is slow and weak. Which of the following drugs is the LEAST likely
cause of her condition?
• A:Seconal
• B:Heroin
• C:Cocaine
• D:Valium Correct answer(The correct answer is C;
Reason: Of the drugs listed, cocaine would be the least likely cause of the patient's condition. Cocaine
is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant; you would expect her to be hypertensive, tachycardic,
tachypneic, and perhaps even violent. Heroin, Valium, and Seconal are all CNS depressants and could
explain her condition. Heroin is an illegal narcotic (opiate), Valium is a benzodiazepine sedative-
hypnotic drug, and Seconal is a barbiturate. Narcotics, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates are all CNS
depressants. When taken in excess, they cause a decreased level of consciousness, respiratory
depression, bradycardia, and hypotension.
Activated charcoal is contraindicated for a patient who is:
• A:conscious and alert and has ingested a large amount of Motrin.
• B:emotionally upset and has ingested two bottles of aspirin.
• C:agitated and claims to have ingested a bottle of Tylenol.
• D:awake and alert and has swallowed a commercial drain cleaner. Correct answer(You selected D;
This is correct!
Reason:Activated charcoal adsorbs (sticks to) many ingested substances, preventing them from being
absorbed into the body by the stomach or intestines. In some cases, you may give activated charcoal to
patients who have ingested certain substances, if approved by medical control or local protocol.
Activated charcoal is contraindicated for patients who have ingested an acid or alkali (ie, drain cleaner)
or a petroleum product (ie, gasoline), who have a decreased level of consciousness and cannot protect
their own airway, or who are unable to swallow.
The MOST obvious way to reduce heat loss from radiation and convection is to:
• A:move away from a cold object.
• B:increase metabolism by shivering.
• C:wear a thick wind-proof jacket.
• D:move to a warmer environment. Correct answer(you selected D; This is correct!
Reason:In a cold environment, the body has two ways of staying warm: generating heat
(thermogenesis) and reducing heat loss. Radiation is the transfer of heat by radiant energy. The body
can lose heat by radiation, such as when a person stands in a cold room. Convection occurs when heat
is transferred to circulating air, as when cool air moves across the body's surface. A person standing in
windy cold weather, wearing lightweight clothing, is losing heat to the environment mostly by
convection. The quickest and most obvious way to decrease heat loss from radiation and convection is
to move out of the cold environment and seek shelter from wind. Shivering increases the body's
metabolism and is a mechanism for generating heat, not reducing heat loss. Layers of clothing trap air
and provide excellent insulation; thus, layered clothing decreases heat loss better than a single, thick
jacket. Conduction is the direct transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object by direct
contact, as when a warm hand touches cold metal or ice. The most obvious way to decrease heat loss
by conduction is to remove your hand from the cold object.
A near-drowning is MOST accurately defined as:
• A:complications within 24 hours following submersion in water.
,• B:immediate death due to prolonged submersion in water.
• C:survival for at least 24 hours following submersion in water.
• D:death greater than 24 hours following submersion in water. Correct answer(You selected C; This is
correct!
Reason:Collectively, drowning and near-drowning are referred to as submersion injuries. Drowning is
defined as death after submersion in a liquid medium, usually water. In a drowning, death is either
immediate or occurs within 24 hours following submersion. Near-drowning is defined as survival, at
least temporarily (24 hours), after submersion. It should be noted, however, that complications such as
pneumonia and pulmonary edema can cause death greater than 24 hours following submersion. For
this reason, all patients with a submersion injury should be transported to the hospital, even if they
appear fine at the scene.
A young woman reports significant weight loss over the last month, persistent fever, and night sweats.
When you assess her, you note the presence of dark purple lesions covering her trunk and upper
extremities. You should suspect:
• A:end-stage cancer.
• B:HIV/AIDS.
• C:tuberculosis.
• D:rheumatic fever. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:Weight loss, fever, and night sweats could indicate tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS; however, the
dark purple lesions on the skin, which are called Kaposi's sarcoma, are malignant skin tumors and are
a classic finding in patients in the later stages of AIDS.
A 48-year-old male became acutely hypoxic, experienced a seizure, and is now postictal. The MOST
effective way to prevent another seizure is to:
• A:dim the lights in the back of the ambulance.
• B:place him in the recovery position.
• C:administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
• D:give him oral glucose if he can swallow. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:You should administer high-flow oxygen to all patients who are actively seizing and to
patients who experienced a seizure and are postictal. This is especially true if the seizure was caused
by hypoxia. Increasing the oxygen content of the blood, which minimizes hypoxia, may prevent
another seizure. The recovery position is appropriate for uninjured patients with a decreased level of
consciousness and adequate breathing; it will help maintain the airway and facilitate drainage of
secretions from the mouth, but will not prevent another seizure. Oral glucose may prevent another
seizure if hypoglycemia was the cause of the seizure. You should dim the lights in the back of the
ambulance to help prevent any seizure, not just those that are caused by hypoxia.
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to be present in a patient who was
submerged in water?
• A:Spinal injury
• B:Gastric distention
• C:Hyperglycemia
• D:Laryngospasm Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: Many factors can contribute to or result from a submersion injury (eg, drowning, near-
drowning). It is not uncommon for a person to experience a spinal injury after diving head first into
shallow water, especially if he or she is under the influence of alcohol. When a swimmer panics, he or
she initially swallows large amounts of water, resulting in gastric distention. Gastric distention can
cause aspiration if the patient regurgitates water during rescue breathing; protect the airway! During
the panic phase, the victim expends a tremendous amount of energy (and glucose) from flailing around
in the water, possibly resulting in hypoglycemia. Inhaling even a small amount of fresh or salt water
, can severely irritate the larynx, which sends the muscles of the larynx and vocal cords into spasm
(laryngospasm), resulting in airway blockage and hypoxia.
A 42-year-old male presents with fever, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. He is conscious, but
confused. His wife tells you that he does not have any medical problems and does not take any
medications. You should be MOST suspicious for:
• A:acute stroke.
• B:influenza.
• C:meningitis.
• D:tuberculosis.
( Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord
(meninges). Common signs and symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, neck stiffness
(nuchal rigidity), and vomiting. An altered mental status is common in severe cases. Meningococcal
meningitis, caused by a bacterium, is the most contagious and potentially fatal type of meningitis. The
patient's signs and symptoms are not consistent with acute stroke, tuberculosis (TB), or influenza (the
flu). Although fever is common with both TB and the flu, neither causes neck stiffness. Acute stroke
may be associated with a headache, especially a hemorrhagic stroke; however, stroke patients typically
do not have a fever.
All of the following are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, EXCEPT:
• A:melena.
• B:hematemesis.
• C:tachycardia.
• D:hemoptysis. Correct answer(You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding include abdominal pain; vomiting blood
(hematemesis); the passage of dark, tarry stools (melena); and bright red rectal bleeding
(hematochezia). If blood loss is significant, the patient may have signs of shock (eg, tachycardia,
diaphoresis, tachypnea, hypotension). Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is a sign of a pulmonary injury,
not GI bleeding.
A 24-year-old female presents with a rash to her left leg and swollen, painful knee joints. She tells you
that she and her friends returned from a hiking trip in the mountains a week ago. She is conscious and
alert with a blood pressure of 112/62 mm Hg, a pulse of 84 beats/min, and respirations of 14
breaths/min. Her symptoms are MOST likely the result of:
• A:Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• B:tetanus.
• C:Lyme disease.
• D:a localized allergic reaction. Correct answer(You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:The patient's symptoms and her history of a recent hiking trip are consistent with Lyme
disease, which was the result of a tick bite. Ticks can carry two infectious diseases: Lyme disease and
Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Both are spread through the tick's saliva, which is injected into the skin
when the tick attaches itself. The first symptom of Lyme disease, a rash that may spread to several
parts of the body, begins about 3 days after the bite of an infected tick. The rash may eventually
resemble a target bull's-eye pattern in one third of patients. After a few more days or weeks, painful
swelling of the joints, particularly the knees, occurs. If recognized and treated promptly with
antibiotics, many patients recover completely. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is not limited to
the Rocky Mountains, occurs within 7 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Its symptoms
include nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, paralysis, and possibly cardiopulmonary failure.
A 50-year-old woman who is conscious and alert complains of a severe migraine headache. When
caring for her, you should generally avoid:
• A:transporting her in a supine position.
• B:shining a light into her pupils.
• C:dimming the lights in the ambulance.
• D:applying ice packs to her forehead. Correct answer(You selected B; This is correct!
