West Coast EMT Block 3 Exam | 100%
verified correct | 2026/2027 latest Update |
RATED A+
A 40-year-old patient without a history of seizures experiences a generalized (tonic-
clonic) seizure. The LEAST likely cause of this seizure is:
Select one:
A. intracranial bleeding
B. epilepsy.
C. a brain tumor.
D. a serious infection. - B. epilepsy.
A patient who is experiencing aphasia is:
Select one:
A. not able to swallow without choking.
B. experiencing a right hemispheric stroke.
C. unable to produce or understand speech.
D. usually conscious but has slurred speech. - C. unable to produce or understand
speech.
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:
Select one:
A. is older than 60 years of age.
B. has had a prior heart attack.
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
D. has bleeding within the brain. - D. has bleeding within the brain.
A patient with an altered mental status is:
Select one:
A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
C. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
D. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. - C. not thinking clearly or is
incapable of being aroused.
Components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale include:
Select one:
A. facial droop, speech, and pupil size.
B. speech, pupil reaction, and memory.
C. arm drift, memory, and grip strength.
D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop. - D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop.
Febrile seizures:
Select one:
,A. are usually benign but should be evaluated.
B. often result in permanent brain damage.
C. occur when a child's fever rises slowly.
D. are also referred to as absence seizures. - A. are usually benign but should be
evaluated.
Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and
hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the:
Select one:
A. kidneys.
B. liver.
C. pancreas.
D. brain. - B. liver.
Muscle control and body coordination are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. brain stem.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. cerebrum. - A. cerebellum.
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
Select one:
A. profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
B. an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C. generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
D. prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness. - D. prolonged seizures
without a return of consciousness.
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing,
are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebrum.
B. cerebellum.
C. brain stem.
D. cerebral cortex. - C. brain stem.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
Select one:
A. diabetes mellitus.
B. heavy exertion.
C. severe stress.
D. hypertension. - D. hypertension.
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
,A. cauda equina.
B. vertebral foramen.
C. foramen magnum.
D. foramen lamina. - C. foramen magnum.
The three major parts of the brain are the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. - D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
Select one:
A. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
B. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
C. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
D. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. - D. ask the patient to
close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for:
Select one:
A. a febrile convulsion.
B. a seizure.
C. an acute stroke.
D. respiratory distress. - B. a seizure.
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
Select one:
A. Sudden, severe headache
B. Confusion and weakness
C. Nasal discharge of blood
D. Unilateral hemiparesis - A. Sudden, severe headache
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
Select one:
A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere - C. Respiratory failure or
cardiopulmonary arrest
Which of the following findings should concern the EMT the MOST when assessing a
patient who complains of a headache?
Select one:
A. Slow onset of symptoms
, B. History of migraines
C. Neck stiffness or pain
D. Sinus congestion - C. Neck stiffness or pain
Which of the following is characteristic of a focal-onset aware seizure?
Select one:
A. Absence of breathing
B. Normal level of consciousness
C. Generalized twitching of all muscles
D. No change in vision, smell, or taste - B. Normal level of consciousness
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
Select one:
A. Acute atherosclerotic disease
B. Rupture of a cerebral artery
C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
D. Narrowing of a carotid artery - C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
A 60-year-old female presents with a tearing sensation in her lower back. Her skin is
sweaty, and she is tachycardic. The EMT should suspect:
Select one:
A. kidney stones.
B. acute pancreatitis.
C. aortic aneurysm.
D. strangulated hernia. - C. aortic aneurysm.
A strangulated hernia is one that:
Select one:
A. loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
B. spontaneously reduces without any surgical intervention.
C. is reducible if surgical intervention occurs within 2 hours.
D. can be pushed back into the body cavity to which it belongs. - A. loses its blood
supply due to compression by local tissues.
Chronic renal failure is a condition that:
Select one:
A. occurs from conditions such as dehydration.
B. is often caused by hypertension or diabetes.
C. causes dehydration from excessive urination.
D. can be reversed with prompt treatment. - B. is often caused by hypertension or
diabetes.
Erosion of the protective layer of the stomach or duodenum secondary to overactivity of
digestive juices results in:
Select one:
A. cholecystitis.
verified correct | 2026/2027 latest Update |
RATED A+
A 40-year-old patient without a history of seizures experiences a generalized (tonic-
clonic) seizure. The LEAST likely cause of this seizure is:
Select one:
A. intracranial bleeding
B. epilepsy.
C. a brain tumor.
D. a serious infection. - B. epilepsy.
A patient who is experiencing aphasia is:
Select one:
A. not able to swallow without choking.
B. experiencing a right hemispheric stroke.
C. unable to produce or understand speech.
D. usually conscious but has slurred speech. - C. unable to produce or understand
speech.
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:
Select one:
A. is older than 60 years of age.
B. has had a prior heart attack.
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
D. has bleeding within the brain. - D. has bleeding within the brain.
A patient with an altered mental status is:
Select one:
A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
C. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
D. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. - C. not thinking clearly or is
incapable of being aroused.
Components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale include:
Select one:
A. facial droop, speech, and pupil size.
B. speech, pupil reaction, and memory.
C. arm drift, memory, and grip strength.
D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop. - D. arm drift, speech, and facial droop.
Febrile seizures:
Select one:
,A. are usually benign but should be evaluated.
B. often result in permanent brain damage.
C. occur when a child's fever rises slowly.
D. are also referred to as absence seizures. - A. are usually benign but should be
evaluated.
Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and
hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the:
Select one:
A. kidneys.
B. liver.
C. pancreas.
D. brain. - B. liver.
Muscle control and body coordination are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. brain stem.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. cerebrum. - A. cerebellum.
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
Select one:
A. profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
B. an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C. generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
D. prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness. - D. prolonged seizures
without a return of consciousness.
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing,
are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebrum.
B. cerebellum.
C. brain stem.
D. cerebral cortex. - C. brain stem.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
Select one:
A. diabetes mellitus.
B. heavy exertion.
C. severe stress.
D. hypertension. - D. hypertension.
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
,A. cauda equina.
B. vertebral foramen.
C. foramen magnum.
D. foramen lamina. - C. foramen magnum.
The three major parts of the brain are the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. - D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
Select one:
A. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
B. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
C. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
D. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. - D. ask the patient to
close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for:
Select one:
A. a febrile convulsion.
B. a seizure.
C. an acute stroke.
D. respiratory distress. - B. a seizure.
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
Select one:
A. Sudden, severe headache
B. Confusion and weakness
C. Nasal discharge of blood
D. Unilateral hemiparesis - A. Sudden, severe headache
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
Select one:
A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere - C. Respiratory failure or
cardiopulmonary arrest
Which of the following findings should concern the EMT the MOST when assessing a
patient who complains of a headache?
Select one:
A. Slow onset of symptoms
, B. History of migraines
C. Neck stiffness or pain
D. Sinus congestion - C. Neck stiffness or pain
Which of the following is characteristic of a focal-onset aware seizure?
Select one:
A. Absence of breathing
B. Normal level of consciousness
C. Generalized twitching of all muscles
D. No change in vision, smell, or taste - B. Normal level of consciousness
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
Select one:
A. Acute atherosclerotic disease
B. Rupture of a cerebral artery
C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
D. Narrowing of a carotid artery - C. Blockage of a cerebral artery
A 60-year-old female presents with a tearing sensation in her lower back. Her skin is
sweaty, and she is tachycardic. The EMT should suspect:
Select one:
A. kidney stones.
B. acute pancreatitis.
C. aortic aneurysm.
D. strangulated hernia. - C. aortic aneurysm.
A strangulated hernia is one that:
Select one:
A. loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
B. spontaneously reduces without any surgical intervention.
C. is reducible if surgical intervention occurs within 2 hours.
D. can be pushed back into the body cavity to which it belongs. - A. loses its blood
supply due to compression by local tissues.
Chronic renal failure is a condition that:
Select one:
A. occurs from conditions such as dehydration.
B. is often caused by hypertension or diabetes.
C. causes dehydration from excessive urination.
D. can be reversed with prompt treatment. - B. is often caused by hypertension or
diabetes.
Erosion of the protective layer of the stomach or duodenum secondary to overactivity of
digestive juices results in:
Select one:
A. cholecystitis.
