Pass the NREMT Medical Technicians EMT Questions and answers with CertsForce

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Thetripod position— sitting upright, leaning forward, supporting the upper body with arms on knees — is a classic sign ofrespiratory distress. This position:

Maximizes diaphragmatic movement

Engages accessory muscles of respiration

Improves air exchange in patients with obstructive airway diseases (e.g., COPD, asthma)

It is rarely used by patients with abdominal pain or seizures and is not associated with cardiac arrest (where unconsciousness is expected).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Perfusionrefers to delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. It depends on three essential components:

Patent airway: Ensures oxygen reaches lungs

Intact microcirculation: Capillary-level exchange must function

Sufficient blood volume: Maintains blood pressure and oxygen transport

Hypoxic drive relates toCOPD physiology, not perfusion.High alveolar pressure(like from CPAP) mayimpede venous return, and alow ventilation-perfusion ratiomeans poor oxygenation efficiency, which negatively affects perfusion.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

InIncident Command System (ICS)for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI), the four major sections are:

Planning: Collects data and develops response strategies

Logistics: Supplies and personnel

Finance/Administration: Cost tracking, contracts, compensation

Stagingis atactical location, not a management section.Catering and aviationare not command-level ICS designations unless part of specific tasks under logistics or operations.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Agonal respirations arenot effective breathingand can mimic gasping or snorting. They often occur incardiac arrest. However, before initiating chest compressions, the EMT mustconfirm pulselessnessby checking acarotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds(AHA 2020 BLS Guidelines).

Only after pulse confirmation (or absence) should compressions begin. Suctioning or ventilating is premature unless a pulse is found.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Mental statusreflects perfusion and oxygen delivery to thebrain, which is highly sensitive to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Even if respiratory rate and SpO₂ are normal, altered mental status suggests ineffective gas exchange or hypoperfusion.

Pulse oximetry may be falsely normal in CO poisoning or poor perfusion. Skin color is subjective and not as sensitive or specific as neurological status.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Use theGlasgow Coma Scale (GCS)to calculate:

Eye Opening (E):Opens to speech = 3

Verbal Response (V):Confused but appropriate words = 4

Motor Response (M):Obeys commands = 6Total = 3 + 4 + 6 = 13

However, thequestion states he opens eyes to voice, knows name (orientation to person), and follows commands— this would mean:

Eye = 3

Verbal = 5(Oriented to person, but disoriented to place/time)

Motor = 6

Correct Total: 14

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

This is ahigh-risk cardiac eventdue to unstable angina or possiblemyocardial infarction. The EMT should:

Administer oxygenif SpO₂ is <94%

Avoid nitroglycerinif systolic BP is <90 mmHg

Obtain a 12-lead ECGto identify ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and transmit it if trained and authorized

CPAP is indicated forpulmonary edema, and albuterol is forbronchospasm, neither of which applies here.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Mechanism of Injury (MOI)assessment is a cornerstone of trauma care. It helps providers determine:

Extent of injury: High-speed collisions, falls from height, or penetrating trauma suggest internal injuries even if external signs are limited.

Need for additional resources: MOI may indicate the necessity ofALS backup,air transport, ortechnical rescue.

MOI cannot determine a patient’smedical historyor guarantee survival predictions. Thedestination facilitydepends on multiple factors including triage protocols, vital signs, and local trauma system regulations.