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NREMT test questions: twelve worked EMT examples, with the trap in each

NREMT questions put you on a call and ask what to do next; usually more than one option is something a good EMT would do, and the right one is the action that comes first for this patient. Below are twelve original examples across the five domains, each worked with the trap it sets.

12
worked questions
5
domains covered
70-120
questions on the real exam
0
real exam items (all original)

Last checked

By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How this is scored

What kind of questions are on the NREMT?

Mostly single-answer multiple choice set on a call, plus technology-enhanced items such as choosing several answers or putting steps in order. Many are priority questions: "what should you do first?" or "what is most important?".

Three things decide them. The order of assessment: scene, then the primary assessment, then the rest. Scope: EMTs do EMT skills and give EMT medications. And the patient in front of you: the right action for an unstable patient is not the right action for a stable one.

Because the exam is adaptive, the questions you see get harder as you answer correctly. The examples below run from routine to the kind of question near the passing standard.

What do scene size-up questions look like?

Safety and mechanism. The trap is almost always rushing to the patient.

  1. NREMT-style question 1 · Scene safety

    You arrive at a house for an unconscious man. As you approach, a neighbor says the man's brother has a gun and is shouting inside. What should you do?

    1. AStay back in a safe place and wait for law enforcement to secure the scene
    2. BCall out to the brother to calm him down
    3. CEnter with PPE on and assess the patient
    4. DEnter quickly with your partner to reach the patient
    Worked answer

    A: Stay back in a safe place and wait for law enforcement to secure the scene. An unsafe scene is not entered until law enforcement has made it safe. An injured EMT helps no one.

    The trap: The urge to reach the patient first.

  2. NREMT-style question 2 · Mechanism of injury

    A car was struck on the driver's door at high speed. Which injuries should you suspect most in the driver?

    1. AHeels from the pedals
    2. BRibs, pelvis and neck on the driver's side
    3. CKnees and hips from the dashboard
    4. DSpine from rear-end whiplash
    Worked answer

    B: Ribs, pelvis and neck on the driver's side. A side impact drives the door into the near-side chest, pelvis and neck.

    The trap: Frontal-impact injuries are better known.

More in the free NREMT scene size-up drill.

What do primary assessment questions look like?

Airway, breathing, circulation and bleeding: the largest domain, and the one where priority mistakes cost most.

  1. NREMT-style question 1 · Airway

    An unresponsive patient has gurgling breath sounds and vomit in the mouth. What do you do first?

    1. AApply a nonrebreather mask
    2. BSuction the airway
    3. CBegin BVM ventilations
    4. DInsert an oropharyngeal airway
    Worked answer

    B: Suction the airway. Gurgling means fluid in the airway; clear it before anything goes into or over the mouth.

    The trap: Adjuncts and oxygen are right later.

  2. NREMT-style question 2 · Breathing

    A drowsy patient breathes 6 times a minute with shallow chest rise. SpO2 is 93% on a nonrebreather. What should you do?

    1. ASwitch to a nasal cannula
    2. BKeep the nonrebreather; the saturation is acceptable
    3. CAssist ventilations with a BVM and oxygen
    4. DRecheck in 5 minutes
    Worked answer

    C: Assist ventilations with a BVM and oxygen. Rate and depth are inadequate. Oxygen without enough ventilation lets carbon dioxide build up; the patient needs breaths.

    The trap: Trusting the oximeter instead of the breathing.

  3. NREMT-style question 3 · Bleeding

    Bright red blood is spurting from a deep thigh wound and direct pressure is not stopping it. What next?

    1. AElevate the leg and keep pressing
    2. BApply a tourniquet 2 to 3 inches above the wound
    3. CSplint the leg
    4. DApply a cold pack
    Worked answer

    B: Apply a tourniquet 2 to 3 inches above the wound. Life-threatening limb bleeding not controlled by pressure needs a tourniquet, high and tight, not over a joint.

About 40% of the exam. Drill it in the free NREMT primary assessment practice test.

Twelve examples here. 560 mock questions in the pack.

8 full mocks and 20 domain drills, every answer explained like these.

The NREMT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 20 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The NREMT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See what is inside the NREMT Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked
8
timed mocks
20
topic drills
1
score predictor

What do secondary assessment questions look like?

History, the physical exam and scoring tools. Small domain, easy marks if the tools are second nature.

  1. NREMT-style question 1 · Scoring

    A patient opens his eyes when you speak, is confused about the date and pulls his arm away from pain. What is his GCS?

    1. A13
    2. B12
    3. C9
    4. D11
    Worked answer

    D: 11. Eyes to voice 3 + confused 4 + withdraws 4 = 11.

    The trap: Scoring withdrawal as localizing (5).

  2. NREMT-style question 2 · History

    Which part of SAMPLE asks when the patient last ate or drank?

    1. AL, last oral intake
    2. BP, pertinent past history
    3. CS, signs and symptoms
    4. DE, events leading up
    Worked answer

    A: L, last oral intake. SAMPLE: signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, events leading up.

More in the free NREMT secondary assessment drill.

What do treatment and transport questions look like?

Medications, medical and trauma care, with contraindications as the favorite trap.

  1. NREMT-style question 1 · Medications

    A man with chest pain has his own nitroglycerin. He took sildenafil 8 hours ago. What should you do?

    1. AGive half a dose
    2. BGive it because 8 hours have passed
    3. CGive one dose and watch his blood pressure
    4. DWithhold the nitroglycerin and contact medical direction
    Worked answer

    D: Withhold the nitroglycerin and contact medical direction. Erectile dysfunction drugs within the last 24 to 48 hours can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure with nitroglycerin.

    The trap: Assuming a few hours is long enough.

  2. NREMT-style question 2 · Medical

    A diabetic patient is confused but can swallow and follow commands. Glucose is 52 mg/dL. What should you give?

    1. AOral glucose
    2. BNitroglycerin
    3. CNothing by mouth
    4. DAspirin
    Worked answer

    A: Oral glucose. A patient who can swallow and protect the airway may take oral glucose per protocol.

  3. NREMT-style question 3 · Trauma

    A patient has an open wound to the chest that bubbles with each breath. What do you do?

    1. ALeave it open
    2. BPack it with gauze
    3. CApply a tight wrap around the chest
    4. DCover it with an occlusive dressing
    Worked answer

    D: Cover it with an occlusive dressing. Sealing the wound stops air entering the chest; monitor for worsening breathing.

More in the free NREMT treatment and transport drill.

What do operations questions look like?

Triage, legal issues, documentation and safety on the road.

  1. NREMT-style question 1 · Triage

    At a bus crash, an adult cannot walk, breathes 24 times a minute, has a radial pulse and follows commands. START category?

    1. AExpectant (black)
    2. BImmediate (red)
    3. CDelayed (yellow)
    4. DMinor (green)
    Worked answer

    C: Delayed (yellow). Not walking, breathing under 30, perfusion and mental status adequate: delayed.

  2. NREMT-style question 2 · Legal

    A competent adult with a minor wrist injury refuses transport. What should you do?

    1. ALeave without documenting
    2. BTransport anyway for safety
    3. CAsk police to make him go
    4. DExplain the risks, encourage care and document the refusal
    Worked answer

    D: Explain the risks, encourage care and document the refusal. A competent adult may refuse. Inform, encourage, document and advise calling back.

More in the free NREMT operations drill.

Where can I practise more NREMT questions?

Sit the free full-length [NREMT practice test](/nremt-practice-test): 70 questions at a minute each, scored by domain, every answer explained.

Worked examples teach the principles; a timed mock shows whether you can apply them for an hour. The plan is in how to pass the NREMT.

Frequently asked questions

Are these real NREMT questions?

No. They are original, written in the style of the EMT exam. Real questions are confidential.

Are NREMT questions all multiple choice?

Most are. The exam also includes technology-enhanced items such as multiple response and ordering.

What topics come up most on the NREMT?

Primary assessment (39-43%) and patient treatment and transport (20-24%) are more than half the exam.

Is there math on the NREMT?

A little: GCS totals, burn percentages by the rule of nines, APGAR scores and the occasional rate.

Do the questions follow my local protocols?

The exam follows national EMT education standards. Where your protocols differ, answer the exam by national standards and work by your protocols.

Practise the way the exam asks

8 full mocks, 20 domain drills and every answer explained, in one payment.

The NREMT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 20 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The NREMT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See what is inside the NREMT Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked
8
timed mocks
20
topic drills
1
score predictor

LifeScore is not affiliated with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or Pearson VUE. National Registry and NREMT are trademarks of the NREMT. Our NREMT-style practice tests use original questions, are not the official exam and are not medical protocols: follow your own medical direction.

Facts last checked by the LifeScore Editorial Team. How we check facts.