EMT Exam 1 Review Questions and
Answers with Verified Solutions
During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT:
A) the mechanism of injury or nature of illness.
B) the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients.
C) whether or not additional resources are needed.
D) if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety. ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale: Components of the scene size-up—after taking standard precautions—include
determining if the scene is safe for entry, determining the mechanism of injury or nature of
illness, determining the number of patients, and determining if additional resources are needed at
the scene.
You arrive at the scene of an "injured person." As you exit the ambulance, you see a man lying
on the front porch of his house. He appears to have been shot in the head and is lying in a pool of
blood. You should:
A) immediately assess the patient.
B) proceed to the patient with caution.
,C) quickly assess the scene for a gun.
D) retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement to arrive. ✔✔Answer: D
Rationale: Your primary responsibility as an EMT is to protect yourself. Prior to entering any
scene, you must assess for potential dangers. In cases where violence has occurred, you must
retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement personnel to arrive.
Findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness should be identified in
the:
A) primary assessment.
B) focused assessment.
C) secondary assessment.
D) reassessment. ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale: The purpose of the primary assessment is to identify and manage any life threats to
the patient, such as inadequate breathing, an altered level of consciousness, or severe
hemorrhage.
Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression
of a patient?
, A) Cyanosis
B) Gurgling respirations
C) Severe bleeding
D) Rapid heart rate ✔✔Answer: D
Rationale: The initial general impression is what you first notice as you approach the patient, but
before physical contact with the patient is made. It is what you see, hear, or smell. A rapid heart
rate (tachycardia) would not be detected until you actually perform the entire primary
assessment; you cannot see, hear, or smell tachycardia.
Your primary assessment of an elderly woman who fell reveals an altered level of consciousness
and a large hematoma to her forehead. After protecting her spine and administering oxygen, you
should:
A) reassess your interventions.
B) perform a rapid exam.
C) transport the patient
D) immediately.
perform a focused assessment of her head. ✔✔Answer: B
Answers with Verified Solutions
During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT:
A) the mechanism of injury or nature of illness.
B) the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients.
C) whether or not additional resources are needed.
D) if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety. ✔✔Answer: B
Rationale: Components of the scene size-up—after taking standard precautions—include
determining if the scene is safe for entry, determining the mechanism of injury or nature of
illness, determining the number of patients, and determining if additional resources are needed at
the scene.
You arrive at the scene of an "injured person." As you exit the ambulance, you see a man lying
on the front porch of his house. He appears to have been shot in the head and is lying in a pool of
blood. You should:
A) immediately assess the patient.
B) proceed to the patient with caution.
,C) quickly assess the scene for a gun.
D) retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement to arrive. ✔✔Answer: D
Rationale: Your primary responsibility as an EMT is to protect yourself. Prior to entering any
scene, you must assess for potential dangers. In cases where violence has occurred, you must
retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement personnel to arrive.
Findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness should be identified in
the:
A) primary assessment.
B) focused assessment.
C) secondary assessment.
D) reassessment. ✔✔Answer: A
Rationale: The purpose of the primary assessment is to identify and manage any life threats to
the patient, such as inadequate breathing, an altered level of consciousness, or severe
hemorrhage.
Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression
of a patient?
, A) Cyanosis
B) Gurgling respirations
C) Severe bleeding
D) Rapid heart rate ✔✔Answer: D
Rationale: The initial general impression is what you first notice as you approach the patient, but
before physical contact with the patient is made. It is what you see, hear, or smell. A rapid heart
rate (tachycardia) would not be detected until you actually perform the entire primary
assessment; you cannot see, hear, or smell tachycardia.
Your primary assessment of an elderly woman who fell reveals an altered level of consciousness
and a large hematoma to her forehead. After protecting her spine and administering oxygen, you
should:
A) reassess your interventions.
B) perform a rapid exam.
C) transport the patient
D) immediately.
perform a focused assessment of her head. ✔✔Answer: B
