Test your emergency medical knowledge with this comprehensive 60-question quiz covering CPR, anatomy, triage protocols, and real-life EMT scenarios.
1. If an EMT arrives on a scene with a person clutching at their throat, what should be their first assumption?
- The person is choking
- The person is having a heart attack
- The person was stabbed
- The person is laughing too hard
Around the world, the universal sign for choking is one or both hands grabbing the throat. If this motion is accompanied by the inability to talk or difficulty breathing, it's fairly safe to assume that the person may be choking.
2. Why do EMTs wear gloves?
- No reason; it's just part of the uniform.
- They are worn to prevent leaving additional fingerprints in case the patient is a criminal.
- Gloves keep their hands from slipping.
- The gloves are worn to protect against infected bodily fluids.
The gloves are worn to protect both the EMTs and the patients from exposure to vomit, urine or fecal matter, or from contracting or spreading contagious viruses, diseases or bacteria. These gloves used to be made of latex, but due to an increase in cases of latex allergies, they are now made up of neoprene so as not to add dangerous allergic reactions on top of illness or injury.
3. Can an uninsured person be transported by ambulance?
- Only if the emergency involves cardiac problems.
- No, the person must be insured to use this service.
- Yes, the EMTs must treat all persons equally.
- They may be taken without insurance if they can pay a deposit before the transport.
The EMTs will carry a person by ambulance regardless of their insurance coverage. If skilled paramedics are required, there could be a $1000 minimum charge which the patient would be responsible to cover or apply for charity assistance.
4. Let's talk tools. What is an EpiPen used for?
- Heart attacks
- Writing on whiteboards
- Strokes
- Allergic reactions
Reversing anaphylaxis symptoms, epinephrine is used for an allergic reaction. When someone goes into anaphylactic shock, blood pressure reduces rapidly, as blood vessels dilate. EpiPens bring blood pressure back up by constricting the blood vessels.
5. Top me up! What are topical medications used to treat?
- Recent news
- Blood flow issues
- Heart problems
- Localized area of skin
Creams, lotions, gels, ointments: these are topical medications used to treat such things as skin rashes or other localized health issues. They are most often applied directly to the skin surface or mucous membrane.
6. The medical terms "systolic" and "diastolic" are related to what?
- Blood Pressure
- Breath
- Insulin Levels
- Happiness
Blood pressure is read as a fraction, with the top number indicating the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart muscle contracts and the bottom number indicating blood pressure when the heart is between beats. These numbers represent systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively.
7. A "brain attack" is another way to describe which condition?
- A Stroke
- A Panic Attack
- An Overdose
- An Allergic Reaction
A brain attack, or stroke, is a disease characterized by rupturing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This can also occur when vessels become clogged by a blood clot or some other mass.
8. The Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" is the ideal rhythm for CPR. What is NOT a step in providing CPR?
- Give compressions
- Give the Heimlich
- Open the victim's airway
- Breathe
When someone doesn't appear to be breathing or responsive, CPR may be in order. Steps include checking for breathing, providing thirty compressions of 100-120 per minute (to the tune of "Stayin' Alive," for reference), opening the victim's airway, and giving them two breaths. Repeat as needed.
9. Can EMTs perform surgery in the ambulance?
- No, they are not allowed to perform invasive procedures.
- They may do any kind of surgery except C-sections or open heart surgeries.
- EMTs are allowed to perform tonsilectomies.
- EMTs are allowed to do exploratory surgery in preparation for the hospital.
An EMT Basic may administer basic first aid, offer oxygen and even give medication that has already been prescribed for the person. They cannot perform invasive procedures like intubation or other surgical procedures. Further skilled care must be given by a licensed paramedic.
10. What does the acronym EMT actually stand for?
- Emergency Medicine and Trauma
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Emergency Management Team
- Emergency Micro Triage
The acronym EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician, which is a person who is fully trained in triage and emergency care and intermittent treatment. That means they can diagnose a problem and begin stabilization or lifesaving procedures to hold a person until they can be placed into care at a facility. They are not just "ambulance drivers," although being able to do so safely is an important part of their training.
11. In the event of a seizure, which of the following should an EMT never do to assist the patient?
- Ease The Person To The Floor
- Keep Yourself And Other People Calm
- Hold The Person Down To Control Movements
- Comfort The Person And Speak Calmly
When a person is seizing, it's crucial that their movements are not restricted and nothing is put in their mouth. Instead, try comforting the person, easing them to the floor if they aren't already, and keeping everyone calm.
12. Sounds like a fancy word, but a sphygmomanometer simply measures what?
- Heartbeat
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Weight
Also called a blood pressure monitor, a sphygmomanometer measures – you guessed it! – blood pressure. The cuff inflates and then slowly collapses, releasing the artery and measuring its pressure and blood flow using a mercury or mechanical manometer.
13. How many chambers are there in the human heart?
- 3
- 5
- 8
- 4
The human heart has four chambers, including the lower right and left ventricle and the upper right and left atria. Mammals and birds have the same, but amphibians and reptiles have only three.
14. Before the advent of modern medical transportation, ambulances were made up of what?
- Horse-drawn wagons.
- A stretcher suspended between two horses.
- A gurney pulled behind a horse at ground level.
- A long wooden wagon carefully pulled by emergency staff.
In 1865, the first Emergency Medical system was started in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, by some hospital interns. The only means of transporting people in distress to the hospital was by horse-drawn carriage. This was uncomfortable when the jostling about affected injuries or caused nausea and offered little protection from the weather, but it was a service that people were grateful for nonetheless.
15. When you arrive at the scene of the emergency, the patient's family says they think their father is having a stroke. What is NOT something you usually check for signs of a stroke?
- Balance
- Eyes
- Speech
- Feet
When assessing for signs of a stroke, remember to BE FAST. That is, check for Balance – loss of coordination or dizziness; Eyes – trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; Face – weakness or unevenness; Arms – weakness or inability to raise arms evenly; Speech – slurred or impaired; and Time – call emergency services quickly.
16. When EMTs are called to an emergency, is the patient required to be transported to the hospital?
- Yes, all emergency cases must be transported to the hospital.
- Not if they sign a form refusing the care.
- Cardiac cases must be transported no matter what.
- No, but there will be a $1000 fee for calling on false pretenses if they don't go.
If a person is over 18 years of age, of sound mind and able to sign an RMA (Refusal of Medical Attention) stating that they will not hold the EMTs responsible for their condition, they will not be transported as it would constitute kidnapping or false imprisonment.
17. The term "posterior" is often used in medicine to describe the _____?
- Back Side
- Inside
- Front Side
- Outside
The term "posterior" stems from the Latin word "posterus," meaning "coming after". Therefore, posterior is used in medicine to describe the back side of things, and is the opposite of anterior.
18. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of disease?
- Hereditary
- Excess
- Infectious
- Deficiency
The four main types of disease are infectious, deficiency, hereditary, and physiological.
19. EMTs must know basic biology. To what do the carotid arteries carry blood?
- Head, neck, and face
- Heart
- Toes
- Stomach
These major blood vessels are in the neck and pump blood from the heart to the neck, brain, and face. Two carotid arteries are located on the right and the left, with each artery splitting into two divisions, the internal one branching up to the brain.
20. The SAMPLE history is a mnemonic device to assist medical assessments. What does the A stand for?
- Alexander Graham Bell
- Ailments
- Autoimmune disease
- Allergies
To keep in mind key questions for your patient's basic medical assessment, try the mnemonic device, SAMPLE. S stands for signs or symptoms; A for allergies; M for medications; P for past pertinent medical history; L for last oral intake; and E for events leading up to the illness or injury.
21. What is the biggest hazard for EMTs?
- Uncooperative patients.
- Ambulance breakdowns.
- Traffic problems.
- When the patient's family members think they know best.
Driving through traffic that does not know or care about the rules of right of way, is speeding to keep up with the ambulance, or other traffic problems are the biggest hindrance to the patient's safe arrival at a hospital. Combine those factors with traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians, and you can see why traffic issues can be a big headache.
22. Which of the following is NOT required in order to become an EMT?
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Diet and Nutrition
- Driver's Education
Diet and nutrition are good subjects for anyone and help to prevent illness but are not required for an EMT. They do need a strong educational experience in the sciences, and high school courses such as chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics are necessary for EMT training. Driver's education class is also essential since many EMTs will also become ambulance drivers.
23. What should EMTs give to someone who is possibly suffering from a heart attack?
- Aspirin
- Banana
- Grapes
- Tylenol
The use of aspirin is highly effective for reducing deaths related to heart conditions. If possible, have the patient chew and swallow aspirin as soon as possible.
24. It's a blistering hot day, and you arrive at the scene to find a conscious patient suffering from heat exhaustion. What should you do for her?
- Keep her awake by pinching her
- Make her run in place
- Sit her cross-legged and give her a cold bottle of Coca-Cola
- Move her to a cool place, lay her down, and elevate her legs
If heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke, your patient's life may be in jeopardy. So don't let it progress. Move her to a cool place – either in the shade or air-conditioning – remove tight or heavy clothing, lay her down and elevate her legs. Then give her a cool non-alcohol non-caffeinated beverage and spray or fan her.
25. A 65-year-old patient with a history of diabetes is breathing deeply and rapidly. Her husband found her unconscious. Your patient is most likely suffering from what?
- An aneurysm
- Asthma
- Diabetic shock
- Dialysis
In a case of diabetic shock, blood sugar levels drop so low that another person's help is required. The patient is in a state of severe hypoglycemia (aka, dangerously low blood sugar), which can lead to a diabetic coma. The unconscious patient requires a glucagon shot, which should bring them back in about fifteen minutes.
26. Rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and fainting may be signs of what?
- Running a marathon
- Heartburn
- Severe dehydration
- A migraine
While running a marathon may result in rapid breathing and heartbeat, you likely won't faint unless you've pushed yourself too hard. These are signs that you desperately need some water in your system. Other signs of dehydration include extremely dry skin, dizziness, sunken eyes, lack of energy, and dark yellow urine.
27. You have a gunshot wound victim on your hands and need to do a rapid assessment. What does the A stand for in the ABCDE rapid assessment mnemonic?
- Apple
- Ammunition
- Airway
- Aim
The rapid assessment mnemonic, ABCDE, allows you to assess a patient's needs in emergency situations, like gunshot wounds. A stands for Airway – assessing if the airway is at risk or unstable; B for Breathing – evaluating the patient's respiration rate and quality, etc.; C for Circulation – pulse rate, strength, quality, etc.; D for Disability/neurological – responsiveness, alertness, paralysis, etc.; and E for Expose – visual inspection of the body.
28. You are called to assist in the delivery of a baby. What should you do as it first emerges from the birth canal?
- Support the head
- Panic
- Wipe it clean
- Spank it
As the infant's head leaves the birth canal, you must support it as it emerges and turns. Next, assess the umbilical cord. If it's wrapped around the baby's neck, gently remove it over the baby's head.
29. In a state of emergency, what is a triage tag for?
- Identifies the three main doctors assigned to a patient
- Teaches geometric lessons
- Categorizes the sick or wounded
- Identifies hazardous materials
In the event of insufficient resources for the sick and wounded, triage tags help categorize patients. They are believed to have originated in wartime when soldiers were wounded on the battlefield and are now commonly used in mass casualty situations and crowded emergency rooms/walk-in clinics.
30. Which of the following terms best describes an allergic reaction that often involves swelling of the throat or tongue, an itchy rash, low blood pressure, and shortness of breath?
- Syncope
- Panic Attack
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that's often characterized by more than one of the following symptoms: throat or tongue swelling, itchy rash, difficulty breathing, vomiting, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure.
31. What system involves a collection of glands that produces hormones?
- Tax system
- Nervous system
- Circulatory system
- Endocrine system
Metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, tissue function, growth, development, mood, sleep: the endocrine system has a hand in all of these bodily functions and more! Hormones influence all of these things, and the collection of glands in the endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones.
32. Which of the following medical instruments could be used to deliver positive pressure ventilation to patients who are unable to breathe?
- Thermometer
- Sphygmomanometer
- Forceps
- Bag Valve Mask
A bag valve mask, also known as an Ambu bag, manual resuscitator, or self-inflating bag, is a hand-held device used to assist patients who are not breathing or not breathing properly.
33. Oh boy, another acronym. What does the letter B stand for in DCAP-BTLS when assessing a trauma patient?
- Blisters
- Boils
- Burns
- Bottled emotion
Trauma patients are assessed using the mnemonic device DCAP-BTLS. D stands for Deformities; C for Contusions; A for Abrasions; P for Punctures/penetrations; B for Burns; T for Tenderness; L for Lacerations; and S for Swelling.
34. A person suffering from tachycardia is likely to exhibit what symptom?
- A Decelerated Heartbeat
- An Itchy Rash
- A Headache
- A Rapid Heartbeat
Tachycardia is a condition characterized by a rapid heartbeat that may be regular or irregular. This conditions is caused by a misfire of electrical signals that cause the heart rate to elevate.
35. What does a red tag in the triage system indicate?
- Those who don't need treatment
- Those whose favorite color is red
- Those who need immediate treatment
- Those who are beyond treatment
The color-coded tags of a triage system often include red (immediate, i.e. critical, will die without immediate care), black (expectant, i.e. deceased or beyond help), green (wait, i.e. wounded but not critical), yellow (observation, i.e. momentarily stable but in need of care), and white (dismiss, i.e. minor injuries or uninjured).
36. What emergencies are the most common for an EMT to be called for?
- Automobile accidents, births, heart attacks, gun shots, or stab wounds.
- Attempted suicides, broken teeth, or vomiting.
- Falls, broken bones, or diabetic problems.
- To settle arguments, find lost articles, or drive drunks home.
Emergency Medical Technicians are called on most frequently to deliver babies who make their entry unexpectedly and to treat injuries sustained in car accidents. There is also a high incidence of calls to treat for sudden myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and stab wounds or gunshot injuries inflicted during arguments or other personal violence issues.
37. In 1948, what new lifesaving equipment was introduced to the medical world?
- A bariatric chamber.
- X-ray machines.
- A defibrillator.
- The iron lung.
the first defibrillation took place in an operating room in 1948. The patient, who was undergoing lung surgery, suddenly had his heart stop. The lead surgeon massaged the man's heart internally while operating room attendants jimmied a defibrillator from two copper wires hooked to an examination lamp at one end and to the man's heart at the other. No telling who was shocked more – the man's heart, or the staff when they saw that it actually worked.
38. What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
- No difference.
- EMTs can start younger.
- Paramedics have more education and practice.
- EMTs can also give blood transfusions.
EMT Basics are able to perform basic life support procedures on injured people, including administering oxygen, performing CPR, stabilization for back injuries, and applying splints or bandages. They require 80 to 250 hours of education and training. Paramedics are licensed healthcare providers and are allowed to start IVs; monitor EKGs; perform manual defibrillation, intubation, and other more critical care; and they require a minimum of 1100 hours of education and training.
39. Which of the following may cause a patient to have a seizure?
- Epilepsy
- Medications
- Head injury
- All of the above
When abnormal electrical activity switches on in the brain, a seizure may occur. Seizures can be caused by medications, epilepsy, head injuries, drugs, brain infections, poison, and more.
40. When stabilizing a patient using a backboard, which of the following areas should straps NOT be applied to?
- Occiput Region Of The Head
- Pelvis
- Shoulders
- Neck
When stabilizing a patient, it's vital to immobilize the torso first, followed by the head and neck. When applying straps on the back board, they should be used to support the shoulders, pelvis, and occiput region of the head.
41. There are twelve organ systems in the body. Which organ is part of the integumentary system?
- Heart
- Skin
- Keyboard
- Lungs
Hair, nails, nerves, and glands are part of the integumentary system, along with skin, the body's largest organ. For animals, hooves, scales, and feathers are also integral parts of the integumentary system.
42. Which emergency service has the larger number of trained EMTs?
- National Park Rangers
- Hospitals
- Police Officers
- Firefighters
Firefighters weight heavily in the number of trained EMTs they employ – about 40% of the total EMTs in service. Most of those are cross-trained to help fight fires as well, but about 9% are dedicated EMTs with the department and take the majority of calls in smaller emergencies.
43. What is a gastrostomy tube used for?
- Gas
- Feeding
- Gastrointestinal blockage
- Gastric bypass surgery
Also known as a G-tube, a gastrostomy tube delivers nutrition to the stomach after being inserted into the abdomen. Often used with children who have trouble eating, this helps ensure that appropriate fluid and calories are being supplied.
44. What does nitroglycerin do during a heart attack?
- Helps blood flow to the heart
- Slows blood flow
- Helps the heart pump blood to the body
- Stops the heart
By widening the blood vessels, nitroglycerin ensures that more blood passes through the coronary arteries to your heart. This is especially important during a heart attack, as they occur due to one or more of the coronary arteries being blocked.
45. What causes most accidents that involve ambulances?
- Slick road conditions.
- Uncooperative traffic.
- Unexpected detours.
- Careless ambulance drivers.
Most accidents involving an ambulance do not end well because the ambulance is basically a box with a lot of free-floating equipment and potentially several medical staff who may be unbuckled as they tend to the sick. Other drivers on the road who will not move out of the way are the largest cause of accidents as the ambulance tries to wind its way through the busy streets.
46. When using the pain assessment, LOTTAARP, you ask your patient, "Does the pain move anywhere else?" What part of the assessment is this referencing?
- Radiation
- Onset
- Alleviating factors
- Precipitating event
Yet another comprehensive assessment mnemonic device, LOTTAARP stands for L – location; O – onset; T – timing; T – type; A – associated symptoms; A – alleviating factors; R – radiation; P – precipitating event. This device specifically assesses pain.
47. You find someone out in 30-degree weather, sleeping on the cold sidewalk. What is he losing body heat from?
- Conduction
- Refraction
- Radiation
- Reflection
There are several ways in which the body loses heat – through evaporation, convection, or radiation, for instance. But when sleeping on a cold surface, about 2% of body heat is lost through conduction.
48. Count 'em up! How many bones are in the adult human body?
- 206
- 248
- 412
- 123
Although the human skeleton has around 270 bones at birth, it shrinks down to 206 bones by adulthood. Where do those other 60ish bones go? Many fuse together.
49. At what point does a fever become a cause for concern in an adult?
- 106 F
- 101 F
- 103 F
- 98 F
While a fever in a child is of greater concern, even at only slightly elevated temperatures, a fever isn't a cause for concern in adults until it reaches 103 F.
50. When your patient's heart is in the relaxation phase, what is the pressure inside the vessels called?
- Didactic pressure
- Systolic pressure
- Hypertension
- Diastolic pressure
Diastolic pressure occurs when the heart relaxes, filling with blood between beats. Systolic pressure is when the heart pumps blood throughout the body, increasing pressure on the vessels.
51. What is someone with yellow-colored sclera possibly suffering from?
- Yellow Fever
- Heart failure
- Liver failure
- Onion breath
Also known as jaundice, the eyes yellow typically due to liver failure. This yellowing results from the bilirubin building up in the skin and the white portions of the eyes.
52. Which of these following bizarre calls was actually received by EMTs?
- A man called in because he had not been given his peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner.
- A man accidentally cut off three fingers with a chainsaw. They were then eaten by his dog.
- A man accidentally nailed his foot to the floor with a nail gun.
- All of the above.
All three of these scenarios actually happened to EMTs. There are endless accounts of every variety of interesting calls from people who make things up or use any excuse to get EMTs or paramedics to answer bizarre calls. The reasons vary from drug abuse to mental illness, to loneliness, to extreme carelessness.
53. What is the difference between and an ambulance crew and a helicopter crew?
- No difference.
- Most EMTs can drive an ambulance, but a helicopter gets one dedicated pilot.
- Helicopter crew must be able to skydive.
- Ambulance crew must be skilled in self-defense.
Any member of an ambulance crew may be trained to drive an ambulance, while a helicopter – or air ambulance – will have a dedicated pilot. In addition, an ambulance may be staffed primarily with EMTs, while a helicopter must have more specialized paramedics.
54. Essential to internal respiration, what is it called when oxygen molecules are loaded onto hemoglobin molecules in the bloodstream?
- Oxygenation
- Oxygization
- Oxycontin
- Hemo-oxy
When you add oxygen to any system, it's called oxygenation. This is also the term used when you combine medication with O2 or treat a patient with it.
55. A woman's obstetrical history can be identified using the letters G and P for Gravidity and Parity. 3 pregnancies and 2 live births would be expressed as what?
- G 10, P 20
- G 3, P 2
- G 2, P 3
- G 0, P3
The G stands for Gravidity, the pregnancy total, while the P stands for Parity, those carried to viability. So, for example, if the patient was currently pregnant and previously delivered one baby, her stats would be G 2, P 1. If she's had two babies but is not currently pregnant, it would be G 2, P 2.
56. You're delivering a baby on site. What's it called when the umbilical cord presents first?
- Elypsed cord
- Spontaneous cord
- Prolapsed cord
- Preview cord
The baby usually exits the birth canal before the umbilical cord, but if the cord precedes the baby, this is called a prolapsed cord. Due to its high risk of blocking blood flow and oxygen to the baby, a prolapsed cord is a state of emergency and often requires a C-section.
57. What unlikely substance could an EMT use to temporarily save a lost tooth?
- Blood
- Syrup
- Milk
- Orange Juice
Believe it or not, milk can be the difference between a salvaged tooth and a dried-out root. In the event of a dental emergency, promptly place the missing teeth in milk until they can be otherwise handled.
58. EMTs wear "HEPA" respirators to protect themselves from certain infections. What does "HEPA" stand for?
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air
- High-Entry Portioned Air
- Heavy-Efficiency Portioned Airway
- Hyper-Effective Particulate Air
With regards to medical terminology, "HEPA" stands for high-efficiency particulate air. This type of mechanical air filter works by forcing air through fine mesh to trap dangerous particles such as smoke, dander, dust, and other allergens.
59. In terms of medical applications, what is "PNS" commonly used to abbreviate?
- Painful New Symptom
- Peripheral Nervous System
- Pertinent Neurological Symptom
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
While CNS is representative of the central nervous system, PNS stands for the peripheral nervous system, both of which comprise the two major divisions of the nervous system.
60. Unless your patient suffers from hemophilia, his blood should clot. What is considered the binding force or glue that helps complete the clotting process?
- Fibrosis
- Fibrin
- Fiber
- Elmers
The binding sites on fibrin, as well as the characteristics of it, allow for the insoluble protein to play a key role in blood clotting. Your wound wouldn't self-repair without it!
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