Free SCFHS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) mock test

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) sample questions with answers

10 more original exam-style Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Basic) questions, worked in full. They are not real or recalled exam questions, and none of them is in the diagnostic above, so sit that first if you have not.

1. Question 1 · Airway, Breathing and Circulation

   A choking adult becomes unresponsive. What is the correct next step?

   1. ABegin CPR with compressions and look in the mouth before each rescue breath
   2. BCheck for a pulse for up to thirty seconds before starting any compressions
   3. CPerform blind finger sweeps to clear the airway before beginning CPR on the patient
   4. DGive abdominal thrusts to the patient while he is lying on his back on the floor
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Begin CPR with compressions and look in the mouth before each rescue breath

   Once the victim is unresponsive, CPR is started because compressions can help dislodge the object, and the mouth is checked before ventilations to remove anything visible. Blind sweeps may push the object deeper.

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

2. Question 2 · Paediatrics

   A 2-year-old has stopped having a febrile seizure and has a temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius. What is the most appropriate care?

   1. AGive nothing and leave the child at home with the parents to observe and rest
   2. BHold the child down firmly to prevent a recurrence of the seizure activity
   3. CImmerse the child in an ice-water bath until the temperature falls to normal
   4. DMaintain the airway, give oxygen, remove excess clothing and transport soon
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Maintain the airway, give oxygen, remove excess clothing and transport soon

   After a febrile seizure the airway and oxygenation are supported and the child cooled gently by removing excess clothing. Cold baths cause shivering and are not recommended.

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

3. Question 3 · Medical, Behavioural and Obstetrics

   A 24-year-old with asthma is wheezing and speaking in single words, and has his own albuterol metered-dose inhaler. How should the EMT assist?

   1. AAsk him to inhale quickly while the EMT sprays into the mouth from a distance
   2. BCheck the order, shake the inhaler, have him inhale slowly and hold the breath
   3. CHave him take three quick breaths while the dose is released again and again
   4. DGive the inhaler while he lies flat so that he can relax fully and breathe slowly
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Check the order, shake the inhaler, have him inhale slowly and hold the breath

   Proper technique delivers the medication to the small airways, so the patient exhales fully, inhales slowly as the dose is released and holds the breath. The medication, expiry date and dose are verified first.

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

4. Question 4 · Medical, Behavioural and Obstetrics

   A man is found confused with hot, dry skin and a core temperature of 41 degrees Celsius after working outdoors. What is the best initial care?

   1. AGive oral aspirin to lower his temperature and then wait for it to work before transport
   2. BGive him cold fluids by mouth and wait until he is fully alert and orientated again
   3. CMove him to a cool place, remove clothing, apply cold packs to neck and groin, give oxygen
   4. DWrap him in blankets to avoid rapid temperature changes and keep him comfortable inside
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Move him to a cool place, remove clothing, apply cold packs to neck and groin, give oxygen

   Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, so aggressive cooling is started at once together with oxygen and rapid transport. Antipyretics do not work in heat stroke, and oral fluids are risky in a confused patient.

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

5. Question 5 · EMS Operations

   Which statement about the 'due regard' principle for emergency vehicle operation is correct?

   1. ADue regard means that the driver may exceed any posted speed limit on the road
   2. BEmergency privileges do not relieve the driver of the duty to drive with due care
   3. CEmergency privileges permit the driver to ignore all traffic rules while responding
   4. DDue regard applies only when sirens and lights are not in use on the ambulance
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Emergency privileges do not relieve the driver of the duty to drive with due care

   Lights and sirens grant limited privileges, but the driver remains legally responsible for driving safely and anticipating other road users. Crashes cause serious harm to crews and the public.

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

6. Question 6 · Patient Assessment

   An unresponsive medical patient has been assessed for airway, breathing and circulation. What is the correct next step?

   1. APerform a focused examination of the chest alone and defer all other checks until later
   2. BDelay transport until a complete detailed examination is finished on scene
   3. CDo a rapid head-to-toe examination and get a history from bystanders and alert tags
   4. DQuestion the patient about SAMPLE items despite the complete lack of response from him
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Do a rapid head-to-toe examination and get a history from bystanders and alert tags

   Because the patient cannot give a history, a rapid whole-body examination looks for clues, while other sources provide information about medical conditions and medicines. Time on scene is kept short.

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

7. Question 7 · Preparatory

   A patient weighs about 130 kg and must be moved from a bed to the stretcher. Two EMTs are available. What is the best course of action?

   1. ADrag the patient across the floor on a blanket without help from anyone else around
   2. BLift quickly with the two available EMTs to avoid any delay in the departure from the scene
   3. CAsk the patient's relatives to assist with lifting him onto the stretcher right away
   4. DRequest additional personnel and bariatric equipment before lifting the patient
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Request additional personnel and bariatric equipment before lifting the patient

   Lifting beyond the safe capacity of the crew risks injury to both the patient and the EMTs, so enough personnel and suitable equipment are requested first. Planning the move protects everyone involved.

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

8. Question 8 · Trauma

   A patient has an abdominal wound with bowel protruding. What is the correct treatment?

   1. ACover with moist sterile dressings, then an occlusive covering, and flex the knees
   2. BPush the bowel back inside the abdomen and apply a dry dressing over the wound
   3. CCover with a dry dressing and keep the legs straight for comfort during the transport
   4. DWash the exposed bowel with antiseptic and leave it uncovered to keep it clean
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Cover with moist sterile dressings, then an occlusive covering, and flex the knees

   Exposed organs are kept moist and covered to prevent drying and contamination and the knees are flexed to reduce tension on the abdominal wall. They must never be pushed back in.

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

9. Question 9 · Trauma

   A worker has a metal bar impaled in the thigh with moderate bleeding. What is the correct management?

   1. ACut the bar flush with the skin and apply a tourniquet directly over it
   2. BShorten the bar and push it deeper to stop the bleeding from the vessel
   3. CStabilise the object with bulky dressings and do not remove it in the field
   4. DPull out the bar carefully and apply direct pressure to the wound afterwards
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Stabilise the object with bulky dressings and do not remove it in the field

   The impaled object may be tamponading a vessel, so removing it can cause fatal haemorrhage; it is stabilised in place and removed in hospital. Only an object blocking the airway or interfering with CPR is removed.

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

10. Question 10 · Trauma

    A hypothermic patient has stopped shivering and is confused. Which care is appropriate?

    1. ARub the arms and legs vigorously to restore circulation quickly and bring back the colour
    2. BImmerse the patient in a hot bath at once in the field to rewarm the whole body
    3. CGive hot drinks and alcohol to speed up the warming process of the cold patient
    4. DHandle gently, remove wet clothing, insulate and rewarm with humidified oxygen
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Handle gently, remove wet clothing, insulate and rewarm with humidified oxygen

    Moderately cold patients can develop ventricular fibrillation when handled roughly, so movement is gentle, wet clothing removed and heat conserved. Rubbing and hot immersion cause harm.

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