Free EMT Practice Test

✓ Correct Answer: Jaw thrust without head extension

The jaw thrust maneuver (modified jaw thrust) opens the airway without extending the cervical spine, making it the preferred technique for patients with suspected spinal injuries. Head-tilt chin-lift is contraindicated when spinal injury is possible. Per AHA and PHTLS guidelines, manual in-line stabilization should be maintained while performing the jaw thrust.

✓ Correct Answer: 1 second, visible chest rise

Per AHA guidelines, BVM ventilations for adults should be delivered over approximately 1 second — enough to produce visible chest rise without causing gastric inflation. Over-ventilation (too fast or too forceful) increases intrathoracic pressure and can cause gastric distention, aspiration, and reduced venous return. For adults in cardiac arrest, ventilate at 10 breaths/minute (every 6 seconds) after advanced airway placement.

✓ Correct Answer: Hemorrhagic (hypovolemic) shock

Hemorrhagic shock (a type of hypovolemic shock) presents with the classic shock triad: altered mental status, tachycardia with weak pulse, and hypotension, along with pale/cool/diaphoretic skin from sympathetic vasoconstriction. In a trauma patient — especially a motorcycle crash — internal or external hemorrhage is the leading cause. Neurogenic shock classically presents with bradycardia and warm, flushed skin.

✓ Correct Answer: 10

GCS is calculated by summing three components: Eye Opening (E), Verbal Response (V), and Motor Response (M). Eye opening to voice = 3; Verbal inappropriate words = 3; Motor withdrawal from pain = 4. Total GCS = 3 + 3 + 4 = 10. A GCS of 8 or below indicates severe brain injury and the need for advanced airway management. GCS ranges from 3 (no response) to 15 (fully alert).

✓ Correct Answer: Apply a three-sided occlusive dressing

An open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) is treated with a three-sided (vented) occlusive dressing taped on three sides, leaving one side open to allow air to escape during exhalation. This prevents conversion to a tension pneumothorax, which can occur with a fully sealed dressing that traps air. Commercial chest seals with flutter valves are also acceptable. Needle decompression is used for tension pneumothorax, not open pneumothorax.

✓ Correct Answer: 30:2

Per AHA 2020 Guidelines, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR (both 1-rescuer and 2-rescuer) is 30:2 until an advanced airway is placed. Once an advanced airway (supraglottic airway or endotracheal tube) is in place, compressions are delivered continuously at 100–120/min while ventilations are given at 10 breaths/min without pausing compressions. For pediatric 2-rescuer CPR, the ratio changes to 15:2.

✓ Correct Answer: Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min

A non-rebreather mask (NRB) with a reservoir bag at 10–15 L/min delivers approximately 90–95% FiO2 — the highest concentration achievable by a mask device for spontaneously breathing patients. Nasal cannula delivers 24–44% FiO2 (1–6 L/min), simple face mask delivers 35–55% (6–10 L/min), and partial rebreather delivers 50–70%. The NRB one-way valve prevents exhaled CO2 from re-entering the reservoir.

✓ Correct Answer: Stroke (CVA)

Sudden onset of facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are the classic FAST signs of stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. Unilateral neurological deficits (one-sided facial droop, one-sided arm weakness) with altered speech strongly indicate stroke rather than hypoglycemia (which typically causes diaphoresis, tremors, and global confusion) or a postictal state. Stroke is a time-critical emergency — transport immediately to a stroke center.

✓ Correct Answer: Supine, leg immobilized with a traction splint, monitor for shock

A femur fracture can cause 1–2 liters of blood loss into the thigh compartment, leading to hemorrhagic shock. The injured extremity should be immobilized with a traction splint (e.g., Hare or Sager splint) to reduce pain, blood loss, and soft tissue damage by realigning the fracture. The patient should be transported supine and monitored closely for signs of shock. Trendelenburg positioning is no longer recommended in hemorrhagic shock as it does not improve outcomes.

✓ Correct Answer: Apply a tourniquet 2–3 inches proximal to the wound

Bright red spurting blood indicates arterial hemorrhage. When direct pressure fails to control life-threatening extremity bleeding, a tourniquet should be applied 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) proximal (above) the wound — never distal. Commercial tourniquets (CAT, SOFTT-W) are preferred. Per TCCC and PHTLS guidelines, the tourniquet should be tightened until bleeding stops, and the time of application must be documented. Tourniquet use is now standard of care for uncontrolled extremity hemorrhage.