North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

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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!

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What should you do before giving breaths to an unconscious choking adult?

Administer back blows
Perform abdominal thrusts
Look in the mouth for a foreign body
Check circulation

The correct answer is: Look in the mouth for a foreign body

Before giving breaths to an unconscious choking adult, it is essential to look in the mouth for a foreign body. This step is crucial because if an object is obstructing the airway, providing breaths without first checking for and possibly removing the obstruction could lead to further complications. By visually inspecting the mouth, you can identify whether a foreign object is present and safely remove it if possible. This approach aligns with the guidelines for dealing with unconscious patients, as maintaining a clear airway is paramount. If a blockage is visible and safely removable, doing so can restore the airway and enable effective ventilation, which is critical in emergency situations. Therefore, checking the mouth for any foreign body is a necessary preliminary action before attempting to provide artificial ventilation.