NREMT Updated EMT Exam Questions and Answers by lando

The correct answer is C. Obstructive.

Why C is correct (Obstructive Shock):

Pericardial tamponade occurs when fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and preventing adequate filling of the ventricles. This leads to:

Decreased preload

Reduced cardiac output

Impaired circulation

This is classified as obstructive shock because there is a mechanical obstruction to blood flow, not a failure of the heart muscle itself.

NREMT-aligned cardiology guidelines state:

“Obstructive shock results from a physical obstruction to blood flow.”

“Examples include cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism.”

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Cardiogenic: Caused by failure of the heart muscle (e.g., myocardial infarction), not external compression.

B. Distributive: Caused by widespread vasodilation (e.g., septic or anaphylactic shock).

D. Hypovolemic: Caused by loss of blood or fluids, not obstruction.

Exact Extracts:

“Cardiac tamponade is a cause of obstructive shock.”

“Obstructive shock impairs circulation due to mechanical obstruction.”

“Tamponade prevents normal cardiac filling and reduces output.”

Subcutaneous emphysema following blunt chest trauma strongly suggests air leaking from the lung into surrounding tissues, often associated with pneumothorax. NREMT trauma priorities stress that airway and breathing take precedence over all other interventions.

Option D is correct because the child is already in moderate respiratory distress, indicating inadequate ventilation. Assisting ventilations with a BVM ensures oxygen delivery and adequate tidal volume while preparing for rapid transport.

Option A is important but does not address the immediate life threat.

Option B may help with pain or flail segments but does not correct ventilation.

Option C is no longer routinely indicated and does not address breathing.

NREMT emphasizes correcting life-threatening airway and breathing problems before movement or transport.

The symptoms described are classic for a stroke (CVA). Additional hallmark findings include:

Arm drift (motor weakness or hemiparesis)

Facial droop (Cranial nerve VII involvement)

Slurred speech (dysarthria or aphasia)

These form the basis of prehospital stroke assessment tools like FAST:

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

Miosis (pupil constriction) and tremors are not associated with stroke in EMS context. Syncope is an isolated event and not a reliable CVA symptom.

The correct answer is A because primary blast injuries are caused by the blast wave itself , and that pressure wave most strongly affects gas-containing organs such as the lungs, ears, and bowel . Authoritative blast-injury references specifically state that primary blast injury damages gas-filled organs, while the other blast phases involve fragments, body displacement, burns, or other associated effects. ( NCBI )