Sample Questions

NREMT Sample Questions

6 practice questions with complete answer explanations.

Sample Questions

Question 1airway

An unconscious adult patient has sonorous (snoring) respirations. The FIRST action is:

A.Perform a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust maneuver✓ Correct

B.Insert a nasopharyngeal airway

C.Begin BVM ventilation

D.Suction the airway

Explanation

Snoring = partial airway obstruction from tongue. First: manual airway maneuver (head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust). Then reassess.

Question 2hemorrhage-control

A patient has bright red blood spurting from a thigh wound. You should FIRST:

A.Apply direct pressure to the wound✓ Correct

B.Apply a tourniquet 2 inches above the wound

C.Elevate the extremity

D.Apply a pressure bandage and transport immediately

Explanation

Spurting arterial blood: direct pressure first. Tourniquet if direct pressure fails or is impractical for a limb.

Question 3stroke

A patient presents with sudden onset slurred speech, facial droop, and arm weakness. The EMT should suspect:

A.Stroke and transport immediately to a stroke center✓ Correct

B.Hypoglycemia and check blood glucose first

C.Seizure and monitor for 30 minutes on scene

D.TIA — non-urgent, reassure and transport when available

Explanation

Stroke (FAST: Face/Arm/Speech/Time). Rapid transport to a stroke center is critical — time is brain.

Question 4diabetic-emergencies

A patient with known diabetes is unconscious and has a blood glucose of 48 mg/dL. EMT treatment includes:

A.Oral glucose if the patient can swallow, or ALS if unconscious✓ Correct

B.Insulin administration to stabilize glucose

C.IV dextrose as the primary EMT intervention

D.Aspirin and transport only

Explanation

EMT scope: oral glucose for conscious hypoglycemic patients who can swallow. Unconscious = cannot administer oral glucose; ALS intercept/rapid transport.

Question 5cpr

High-quality CPR is defined as compressions that are:

A.At least 2 inches deep at 100–120/min with full chest recoil✓ Correct

B.1.5 inches deep at 60–80/min

C.As fast as possible to maximize perfusion

D.2–3 inches deep at 80 per minute

Explanation

2020 AHA guidelines: 2–2.4 inches depth, 100–120/min rate, full recoil, minimize interruptions.

Question 6scene-size-up

Scene size-up includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A.Performing a rapid patient assessment✓ Correct

B.Ensuring scene safety

C.Determining the mechanism of injury

D.Identifying the number of patients

Explanation

Scene size-up: safety, mechanism/nature of illness, number of patients, need for additional resources. Patient assessment is NOT part of scene size-up.

Test-Taking Tips

1.CAT format means hard questions = you're performing well. Don't panic if questions seem harder.
2.Master the initial assessment sequence: scene safety → MOI → general impression → ABCs.
3.NREMT questions are scenario-based — practice with realistic patient scenarios, not just definitions.
4.Know the EMT scope precisely — common traps involve medications (NTG, oral glucose, Epi-Pen).
5.Use the NREMT practice test on nremt.org — it mirrors the CAT format and content.
6.Weak on cardiac? Use the American Heart Association BLS and ACLS study materials.

Ready to practice more?

Take an interactive quiz with these questions.

Start Quiz →