SCFHS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) exam questions

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) exam in every GCC country

From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.

12 worked Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) practice questions

Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.

1. Question 1 · Airway, Breathing and Circulation

   Why is suction time limited to about 15 seconds in adults, 10 seconds in children and 5 seconds in infants?

   1. AThe vacuum collapses the lungs if it is applied for longer than this period
   2. BSuction removes too much mucus and dries the airway lining very quickly
   3. CProlonged suctioning causes hypoxia and may cause bradycardia
   4. DThe catheter tip melts if suction is applied for longer than this period
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Prolonged suctioning causes hypoxia and may cause bradycardia

   Suctioning removes oxygen from the airway as well as secretions, so each attempt is short and the patient is oxygenated or ventilated afterwards. Stimulating the pharynx can trigger a vagal response with bradycardia, especially in small children.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

2. Question 2 · Airway, Breathing and Circulation

   A 5-year-old child is in cardiac arrest and the EMT has an AED with both adult and paediatric pads. What is the correct use?

   1. AUse adult pads on the anterior chest overlapping each other for better contact
   2. BDelay the shock until paediatric pads can be obtained from the hospital team
   3. CUse adult pads only because paediatric pads are intended for infants only
   4. DUse paediatric pads if available; otherwise use adult pads without delay
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Use paediatric pads if available; otherwise use adult pads without delay

   Paediatric pads or a dose attenuator deliver lower energy suitable for a child under about 8 years, but defibrillation should never be delayed if only adult pads are available. In a small chest the pads are placed front and back to prevent them touching.

   Reference: AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (2020)

3. Question 3 · Paediatrics

   An 8-month-old is lethargic and febrile with a bulging fontanelle and a purple non-blanching rash. What is the most appropriate EMT action?

   1. ATreat only the fever and remove the clothing to look at the rash on the skin
   2. BWear a mask and eye protection, give oxygen and transport rapidly to hospital
   3. CWait at the scene for a physician to confirm the diagnosis of meningitis first
   4. DPlace the infant in a cold bath to reduce the temperature quickly and safely
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Wear a mask and eye protection, give oxygen and transport rapidly to hospital

   The picture suggests meningococcal sepsis or meningitis, which is a time-critical emergency spread by droplets. Protecting the crew, supporting oxygenation and fast transport with early notification improve outcome.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

4. Question 4 · Medical, Behavioural and Obstetrics

   An unresponsive man has a respiratory rate of 4 per minute and pinpoint pupils. What is the best sequence of care?

   1. AStart bag-mask ventilation with oxygen, then give intranasal naloxone if authorised
   2. BPlace him in the recovery position and monitor his breathing closely until he wakes
   3. CGive naloxone only and watch for improvement without assisting his breathing at all
   4. DGive activated charcoal by mouth and then monitor him for improvement in the vehicle
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Start bag-mask ventilation with oxygen, then give intranasal naloxone if authorised

   The findings indicate opioid toxicity with respiratory depression, so ventilation to correct hypoxia comes first, then naloxone reverses the opioid effect. Charcoal cannot be given safely to an unresponsive patient.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

5. Question 5 · Medical, Behavioural and Obstetrics

   A man with chest pain took tadalafil 30 hours ago. His blood pressure is 128/80 mmHg and medical direction would normally allow sublingual nitroglycerin. What should the EMT do?

   1. AWithhold nitroglycerin, as a PDE-5 inhibitor within 48 hours can cause severe hypotension
   2. BGive the nitroglycerin as the blood pressure is above 100 mmHg and he has pain now
   3. CGive half of the usual dose of nitroglycerin and recheck the blood pressure after it
   4. DGive the usual dose of nitroglycerin because more than 24 hours have already passed
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Withhold nitroglycerin, as a PDE-5 inhibitor within 48 hours can cause severe hypotension

   Nitrates combined with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors can cause profound vasodilation and hypotension, and tadalafil requires about 48 hours while sildenafil requires about 24 hours. A normal blood pressure now does not remove the risk.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

6. Question 6 · EMS Operations

   At a multiple-casualty incident, an adult who cannot walk has a respiratory rate of 34 per minute. What START triage category applies?

   1. ADelayed (yellow), because the patient is breathing without assistance
   2. BImmediate (red), because the respiratory rate is above 30 per minute
   3. CMinor (green), because the patient has an intact airway
   4. DExpectant (black), because the respiratory rate is abnormal
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Immediate (red), because the respiratory rate is above 30 per minute

   In START triage, patients who are breathing but have a rate above 30 per minute are categorised as immediate. Walking patients are minor, and those who do not breathe after the airway is opened are expectant.

   Reference: National EMS Education Standards, Emergency Medical Technician (NHTSA, 2021)

7. Question 7 · Patient Assessment

   After a head injury, an adult has a falling Glasgow Coma Scale score and one dilated pupil that does not react to light. What does this suggest?

   1. AHypoxia alone, which will resolve fully with supplemental oxygen at a high flow
   2. BA normal variant of the pupil, requiring only observation and no further action
   3. CHypoglycaemia, which will resolve quickly once oral glucose has been given to him
   4. DRising intracranial pressure with possible herniation
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Rising intracranial pressure with possible herniation

   A unilateral fixed dilated pupil with a falling level of consciousness suggests compression of the oculomotor nerve by a rising intracranial pressure. It needs rapid transport to a trauma centre.

   Reference: NAEMT, PHTLS: Prehospital Trauma Life Support, 10th ed. (2023)

8. Question 8 · Patient Assessment

   An EMT measures the blood pressure of a patient with a large upper arm using a standard adult cuff and obtains 180/110 mmHg. What is the best interpretation?

   1. AThe reading is accurate and means that the patient has severe hypertension
   2. BThe reading is falsely low because the cuff compresses the arm too weakly
   3. CA cuff that is too small reads falsely high, so repeat it with a larger cuff
   4. DThe reading is accurate and the cuff size has no effect on the final result
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. A cuff that is too small reads falsely high, so repeat it with a larger cuff

   A cuff that is too small does not transmit pressure evenly to the artery in a large arm, so the reading is falsely elevated. Choosing the right cuff size is essential before acting on a measurement.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

9. Question 9 · Preparatory

   An EMT leaves a patient in the emergency department waiting room without giving a hand-off to any staff member. This most closely represents which legal concept?

   1. AAbandonment, because care ended without transfer to an equal or higher provider
   2. BLibel, because a written false statement damaged his professional reputation
   3. CAssault, because the patient was threatened with harm by the crew member
   4. DBattery, because the patient was touched without his informed consent at all
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Abandonment, because care ended without transfer to an equal or higher provider

   Abandonment is terminating care without ensuring that responsibility passes to a person with equal or greater training. A complete verbal and written transfer of care prevents it.

   Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

10. Question 10 · Preparatory

    Three days after a child died on a call, an EMT is not sleeping and has intrusive memories. What is the most appropriate action?

    1. AAvoid talking about the event so that the memories fade on their own with time
    2. BSeek peer support and stress management early, with professional help if needed
    3. CUse alcohol in the evenings to help sleep for a few nights until it passes
    4. DTake extra shifts to stay busy until the feelings pass and the memories fade
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B. Seek peer support and stress management early, with professional help if needed

    Early support and structured stress management reduce the risk of longer-term post-traumatic stress, and persistent symptoms need professional care. Avoidance and substance use make the problem worse.

    Reference: AAOS, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed. (2021)

11. Question 11 · Trauma

    Which patient is the best candidate for a traction splint?

    1. AAn adult with a fractured femur and an open injury to the knee joint below it
    2. BAn adult with a hip dislocation and a suspected fracture of the pelvis as well
    3. CAn adult with an isolated closed mid-shaft femur fracture and no hip or knee injury
    4. DA child with a lower leg fracture and a deformed ankle but a normal thigh and knee
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C. An adult with an isolated closed mid-shaft femur fracture and no hip or knee injury

    Traction splints reduce pain and bleeding in an isolated mid-shaft femoral fracture by aligning the limb, but they are contraindicated where traction could worsen associated injuries of the pelvis, hip, knee or lower leg.

    Reference: NAEMT, PHTLS: Prehospital Trauma Life Support, 10th ed. (2023)

12. Question 12 · Trauma

    A patient with a head injury has blood pressure 190/100 mmHg, pulse 48 per minute and irregular respirations. Which care is most appropriate?

    1. APosition the patient face down on the stretcher to reduce the intracranial pressure
    2. BLay the patient flat with the legs raised to increase the perfusion of the brain
    3. CGive fluids rapidly to lower the blood pressure and slow down the heart rate
    4. DMaintain spinal precautions, give high-flow oxygen and tilt the board head-up
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Maintain spinal precautions, give high-flow oxygen and tilt the board head-up

    The combination of hypertension, bradycardia and irregular breathing is Cushing's triad, a sign of raised intracranial pressure. Head-up tilt with spinal immobilisation and oxygen helps drainage and avoids hypotension.

    Reference: NAEMT, PHTLS: Prehospital Trauma Life Support, 10th ed. (2023)