EMT Exam For Dummies with Online Practice
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Anyone hoping to do well on the EMT exam should take a preassessment test. Preassessment test are great for seeing where you stand and identifying which areas need more study.

Sample Questions

  1. You have arrived at a hospital with a trauma patient. There is a large amount of blood on the floor and walls of the ambulance as well as on the gurney. What would be the best way to clean the unit and return it to service?

    • (A)Use hot water and a towel to wipe up the blood.

    • (B)Spray 1:10 bleach and water solution to contaminated areas and wipe with a towel or mop.

    • (C)Allow the blood to dry and then use a broom to brush it away.

    • (D)Heat-sterilize the ambulance.

  2. Operating an ambulance in an emergency mode allows you to

    • (A)disregard driving laws related to speed and signal lights.

    • (B)park anywhere at any time.

    • (C)drive with due regard for other motorists.

    • (D)not stop if you’re involved in a minor traffic collision.

  3. After being lifted on a gurney, your patient no longer wants to be transported to the hospital. He is alert, appears not to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and understands the ramifications of refusing transport. However, you feel that the man has a significant underlying condition and believe that he should go to the hospital. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct?

    • (A)A mentally competent adult can withdraw his or her consent to treatment at any time.

    • (B)Any patient who refuses EMS treatment must legally sign a patient refusal form.

    • (C)The best approach is to transport him to the hospital.

    • (D)Once inside the ambulance, he cannot legally refuse EMS transport.

  4. Which of the following would be a primary prevention program?

    • (A)A community-focused education program on the risks of driving while texting

    • (B)A traffic signal that is installed at an intersection after a fatal motor vehicle crash

    • (C)Training EMS providers on how to apply a new cervical collar

    • (D)Installing an AED at a pool

  5. One role of continuous quality improvement (CQI) is to

    • (A)institute disciplinary actions.

    • (B)identify areas of practice that could be done better.

    • (C)have all EMTs maintain licensure through the state EMS office.

    • (D)focus only on the quality of emergency care.

  6. What four general legal elements must be proven to have happened in a medical negligence lawsuit?

    • (A)Damages, causation, duty to act, breach of duty

    • (B)Causation, physical injuries only, duty to respond, expectation of payment

    • (C)Duty to act, breach of duty, damages, deliberate intent

    • (D)Breach of duty, damages, incompetence, malfeasance

  7. If you forcibly transport a patient against his will, even though he is capable of refusing your services, you may be found guilty of

    • (A)assault.

    • (B)battery.

    • (C)false imprisonment.

    • (D)defamation.

  8. Although laws may vary from state to state, EMTs in all states must report which of the following circumstances to proper authorities?

    • (A)Elder abuse

    • (B)Drug use

    • (C)Domestic violence

    • (D)Child abuse and neglect

  9. People react differently toward death and dying. However, common stages of grieving include

    • (A)denial, bargaining, depression.

    • (B)acceptance, anger, euphoria.

    • (C)anger, suicidal thoughts, bargaining.

    • (D)excitement, acceptance, delirium.

  10. Hepatitis B is an example of which type of communicable disease?

    • (A)Airborne

    • (B)Bloodborne

    • (C)Foodborne

    • (D)Vectorborne

Answers and explanations

  1. B. Using hot water alone, Choice (A), may not disinfect surfaces contaminated with bloodborne pathogens. Allowing the blood to dry, Choice (C), takes much too long and keeps the unit out of service. You can’t find a heat-sterilizer unit, as Choice (D) suggests, that’s big enough to handle an ambulance!

  2. C. Even while driving with lights and siren, you’re responsible for not only your personal safety but also the safety of those around you.

  3. A. Although having a patient sign a form each and every time he refuses treatment is optimal, it doesn’t always happen. In such cases, have a reliable witness such as a law enforcement officer or family member sign a statement stating that you tried to have the patient sign but were unable to.

  4. A. A primary prevention program aims to reduce the likelihood of a negative event happening.

  5. B. The intent of continuous quality improvement (CQI) is to identify both strengths and weaknesses of an organization’s practice, and develop processes that improve both. CQI incorporates clinical, operational, and administrative practices, not just emergency care.

  6. A. Negligence is a civil action in which four legal elements must be proven to have occurred. The EMT must have had a duty to act (and by implication, act within acceptable guidelines). The EMT must have subsequently breached, or failed to perform that act (or have performed in an unacceptable manner). There must be an injury that occurred during the time of treatment.

  7. C. You cannot treat or transport a patient who refuses your services when he is legally able to make his own decisions.

  8. D. Although elder abuse, drug use, and domestic violence are serious issues, not all states require EMTs to report their suspicions. All 50 states and the District of Columbia mandate the reporting of child abuse and neglect, Choice (D).

  9. A. Most people are thought to experience various stages of grieving, either for themselves or a loved one who is dying or has died. Those stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Not all people process death in the same way or at the same time.

  10. B. Hepatitis B is a virus that is transmitted from one person to another through blood, Choice (B).

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Art Hsieh, MA, NREMT-P is a highly experienced paramedic, clinician, and educator, helping hundreds of students prepare for and pass the national examination process. He is the director of a collegiate paramedic academy and editorial advisor of EMS1.com.

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