North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the North Carolina EMT State Exam with interactive quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Master your skills and gain confidence by reviewing key topics before test day!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

In identifying patient needs, what is the first action an EMT should take?

Assess vitals immediately
Check for stability of the scene
Document all findings
Ensure patient comfort

The correct answer is: Check for stability of the scene

The first action an EMT should take in identifying patient needs is to check for the stability of the scene. This is critical because the safety of both the patient and the responder is paramount. An unstable scene can pose risks such as ongoing hazards (e.g., traffic, fire, toxic substances) that could lead to further injuries or complications. By ensuring the scene is safe, the EMT can then safely proceed to assess the patient without adding risk to themselves or others present. Once the scene is confirmed as stable, the EMT can effectively perform assessments, take vital signs, document findings, and address the patient's comfort. This initial step lays the groundwork for a thorough and effective emergency response.