West Coast EMT Block 3 Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. An adult suspected of opioid overdose is unresponsive, has a pulse, and is breathing four times per minute with shallow chest rise. What is the immediate priority?
Open the airway and provide effective ventilations with oxygen
Administer naloxone before supporting breathing
Place the patient upright to improve alertness
Perform a detailed neurologic examination before intervening
2. A 54-year-old has pressure-like chest discomfort and no history of trauma. Which finding is the clearest reason not to assist with aspirin?
The patient reports a previous severe allergic reaction to aspirin
The patient has prescribed nitroglycerin
The discomfort began during physical activity
The discomfort radiates into the left arm
3. A patient with asthma was wheezing loudly but now has minimal air movement, a nearly silent chest, and increasing fatigue. How should this change be interpreted?
The bronchospasm has resolved
Airflow may be critically reduced despite less wheezing
The condition has become a mild anxiety episode
The patient no longer needs rapid treatment or transport
4. After eating a food containing peanuts, a patient develops widespread hives, wheezing, and dizziness. The patient has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. Which intervention should be prioritized according to EMT scope and local protocol?
Give an oral antihistamine and wait for the wheezing to resolve
Offer water to reduce throat irritation
Assist with or administer the prescribed epinephrine promptly
Have the patient walk to improve circulation
5. A patient with chest pain asks for help taking prescribed nitroglycerin. Which finding is the strongest contraindication to assisting at that moment?
A history of a previous heart attack
Pain rated 8 out of 10
A systolic blood pressure of 86 mmHg
Aspirin taken earlier as directed
6. A patient has sudden slurred speech and arm weakness, but a family member says the patient uses insulin. Which assessment can identify an important, treatable stroke mimic without delaying stroke care?
Checking for abdominal tenderness
Measuring orthostatic blood pressure
Testing visual acuity with a letter chart
Measuring blood glucose
7. A dialysis patient who missed two treatments reports profound weakness and shortness of breath. The pulse is slow and irregular. What is the best EMT priority?
Encourage the patient to drink water to restore kidney function
Assess and support ABCs, apply cardiac monitoring if available, and transport promptly for a potentially serious electrolyte problem
Have the patient exercise gently to increase the heart rate
Delay transport until the dialysis center confirms the appointment history
8. During a hot-weather event, a runner becomes confused and collapses. The skin is very hot, and exertional heat stroke is suspected. What is the priority approach?
Begin rapid active cooling while supporting ABCs and arranging prompt transport
Give fever-reducing medication and reassess in 30 minutes
Allow the patient to rest without cooling until transport arrives
Wrap the patient in blankets to prevent temperature swings
9. A patient's generalized seizure has stopped. The patient is breathing adequately but remains unresponsive and has saliva in the mouth. What should the EMT do next?
Place an object between the teeth to protect the tongue
Restrain the patient's arms in case another seizure begins
Protect the airway, position appropriately, and be ready to suction
Immediately give the patient something containing sugar
10. An alert adult accidentally swallowed a household cleaner. The airway is clear, and the product container is available. What is the best next step?
Wait for symptoms because asymptomatic ingestions do not require evaluation
Induce vomiting to remove the chemical
Give food to absorb the chemical before seeking guidance
Contact poison control or medical direction and follow product-specific guidance while monitoring the patient
11. A patient with diabetes is confused, has a low measured blood glucose level, and can follow commands but cannot swallow reliably. What is the best approach to oral glucose?
Place it under the tongue because swallowing is unnecessary
Give it with water to make swallowing easier
Wait until the glucose level falls further before making a decision
Do not give it orally; support the patient and arrange prompt advanced care
12. A patient has vomited dark, coffee-ground material and now appears pale, cool, and dizzy with a rapid pulse. Which plan best addresses the likely immediate threat?
Give the patient water to replace lost fluid
Support airway and breathing, manage for shock, and transport promptly
Delay transport until the source of the bleeding is identified
Have the patient walk to the ambulance to assess stability
13. A patient with shortness of breath initially speaks in short sentences but becomes drowsy, breathes irregularly, and has poor chest rise. What does this change most strongly indicate?
The patient is improving because respiratory effort has decreased
The patient is beginning to compensate effectively
The problem has changed from respiratory to behavioral
Respiratory failure may be developing
14. A patient with a history of heart failure is extremely short of breath, has crackles, and says breathing is worse when lying flat. If blood pressure and mental status permit, which position is generally most helpful?
Flat on the back with the legs elevated
Upright in a position of comfort
Prone with the head turned to one side
On the left side with the knees drawn up
15. A normally independent older adult suddenly becomes agitated and confused. Family members deny any psychiatric history. What is the most appropriate initial perspective?
Wait for the patient to calm down before checking vital signs
Assume a psychiatric disorder because agitation is primarily behavioral
Treat the behavior as a possible medical emergency and assess for causes such as hypoxia, glucose disturbance, stroke, infection, or medication effects
Focus only on obtaining a complete psychiatric history
16. You suspect a stroke in a patient who awoke with facial droop and slurred speech. Which time is most important to establish?
The last time the patient was known to be without these symptoms
The time the patient last ate a full meal
The time the patient went to bed, regardless of symptom status
The time the ambulance arrived at the scene