NREMT Practice Questions w/ Rationale

The primary assessment of an adult with chest pain includes: A. Identifying the specific cause of the patient's pain. B. Ensuring the scene is safe. C. Determine the transport priority. D. Reassessing vital signs.

C (Determining the patient's transport priority is a component of the primary assessment. Scene safety is determined during the scene size up. Determining specifics about the patient's pain and reassessing vitals are done later in the assessment process.)

You are caring for a six-year-old patient with respiratory distress. The pulse oximeter (Sa02) reads 93%. Your management of the patient should include: A. Withhold oxygen until the patient develops accessory muscle use. B. Contacting the patient's pediatrician prior to transport. C. Administering a metered dose inhaler if prescribed to a parent or sibling. D. Administer sufficient oxygen to maintain a pulse oximeter reading of at least 94%.

D (Rationale: Oxygen is indicated for patients with signs or symptoms of hypoxia, including a pulse oximeter below 94%. EMTs should not withhold oxygen from a patient with a pulse oximeter below 94%. EMTs do not contact the patient's physician for medical direction, nor do they administer MDIs which are not prescribed to the patient. )