EMT / NREMT Exam Survival Guide

Window: US | Cognitive exam (CAT) + Psychomotor skills

Must-do topics

• Airway: O₂ delivery, BVM use, airway adjuncts (OPA/NPA), suctioning
• Trauma: bleeding control, splinting, spinal precautions
• Medical: cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, seizure, stroke, poisoning basics
• Operations: EMS systems, triage (START), safety, lifting/moving patients
• Resuscitation: CPR/AED protocols, post-ROSC care

Top traps (avoid)

• Skipping scene safety first step
• Airway missteps: suction >15s, wrong adjunct selection
• Mixing hypoglycemia vs hyperglycemia signs
• Forgetting spinal stabilization before moving patient
• Not reassessing vitals after interventions

Time split

• Cognitive: 70–120 Q (CAT), ~2 hrs; 1.5 min/Q
• Psychomotor: station checklists; time-limited skills demos

Last-48h checklist

• ABCDE primary survey; SAMPLE/OPQRST history
• CPR/AED ratio, compression depth/rate
• Splinting, bleeding control demo practice
• Review drug basics: epi, nitro, glucose, O₂

Quick facts

• CPR: 30:2, 100–120/min, 2 inches depth (adult)
• O₂: NC 1–6 L/min; NRB 10–15 L/min; BVM 15 L/min
• GCS: Eye (4), Verbal (5), Motor (6) = max 15
• Triage: Immediate (red), Delayed (yellow), Minor (green), Dead (black)

Speed tactics

• Scene safety → BSI → ABCs → interventions
• If in doubt, high-flow O₂ safe default
• Eliminate interventions that risk harm
• Reassess after every step

Day-of mini-plan

• Warm-up: 5 airway steps + 2 trauma scenarios
• Relax, breathe; skill stations are checklist-driven
• Answer all Qs; CAT can end early if competence shown