EMS Registry Ready

EMR Secondary Assessment practice questions

Secondary Assessment makes up about 4–8% of the NREMT EMR exam. Here are 8 to work through. When you open an answer, you'll see why it's right and why the other options aren't.

Question 1NRP reviewed

The normal heart rate range for a 6-month-old infant is approximately

  1. A90 to 150 beats per minute
  2. B60 to 100 beats per minute
  3. C100 to 160 beats per minute
  4. D100 to 180 beats per minute
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Correct answer: C. 100 to 160 beats per minute

The normal heart rate for a 6-month-old infant is roughly 100 to 160 beats per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

  • A. That range corresponds to a 2-year-old toddler rather than to this age group.
  • B. That range corresponds to a 15-year-old adolescent rather than to this age group.
  • C. This is the accepted normal heart rate range for a 6-month-old infant.
  • D. That range corresponds to a newborn rather than to this age group.
Question 2NRP reviewed

The normal heart rate range for a 15-year-old adolescent is approximately

  1. A100 to 180 beats per minute
  2. B100 to 160 beats per minute
  3. C80 to 140 beats per minute
  4. D60 to 100 beats per minute
Show the answer

Correct answer: D. 60 to 100 beats per minute

The normal heart rate for a 15-year-old adolescent is roughly 60 to 100 beats per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

  • A. That range corresponds to a newborn rather than to this age group.
  • B. That range corresponds to a 6-month-old infant rather than to this age group.
  • C. That range corresponds to a 4-year-old preschooler rather than to this age group.
  • D. This is the accepted normal heart rate range for a 15-year-old adolescent.
Question 3NRP reviewed

The normal respiratory rate range for a 15-year-old adolescent is approximately

  1. A12 to 20 breaths per minute
  2. B30 to 60 breaths per minute
  3. C18 to 25 breaths per minute
  4. D30 to 53 breaths per minute
Show the answer

Correct answer: A. 12 to 20 breaths per minute

The normal respiratory rate for a 15-year-old adolescent is roughly 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

  • A. This is the accepted normal respiratory rate range for a 15-year-old adolescent.
  • B. That range corresponds to a newborn rather than to this age group.
  • C. That range corresponds to a 9-year-old school-aged child rather than to this age group.
  • D. That range corresponds to a 6-month-old infant rather than to this age group.
Question 4NRP reviewed

In the human body, the cerebellum

  1. AForms the inferior tip of the sternum
  2. BProduces insulin and digestive enzymes
  3. CIs the largest artery in the body
  4. DCoordinates balance and fine movement
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Correct answer: D. Coordinates balance and fine movement

The cerebellum coordinates balance and fine movement. Anatomy underpins assessment: knowing what sits where is what turns a location of pain into a working hypothesis.

  • A. That describes the xiphoid process rather than this structure.
  • B. That describes the pancreas rather than this structure.
  • C. That describes the aorta rather than this structure.
  • D. This correctly describes the cerebellum.
Question 5NRP reviewed

In the human body, the cricoid cartilage

  1. AForms the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway
  2. BPumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation
  3. CIs the membrane lining the lungs and the inside of the chest wall
  4. DOccupies the left upper quadrant and bleeds heavily when injured
Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Forms the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway

The cricoid cartilage forms the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway. Anatomy underpins assessment: knowing what sits where is what turns a location of pain into a working hypothesis.

  • A. This correctly describes the cricoid cartilage.
  • B. That describes the left ventricle rather than this structure.
  • C. That describes the pleura rather than this structure.
  • D. That describes the spleen rather than this structure.
Question 6NRP reviewed

The normal respiratory rate range for a 6-month-old infant is approximately

  1. A30 to 53 breaths per minute
  2. B12 to 20 breaths per minute
  3. C18 to 25 breaths per minute
  4. D22 to 37 breaths per minute
Show the answer

Correct answer: A. 30 to 53 breaths per minute

The normal respiratory rate for a 6-month-old infant is roughly 30 to 53 breaths per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

  • A. This is the accepted normal respiratory rate range for a 6-month-old infant.
  • B. That range corresponds to a 15-year-old adolescent rather than to this age group.
  • C. That range corresponds to a 9-year-old school-aged child rather than to this age group.
  • D. That range corresponds to a 2-year-old toddler rather than to this age group.
Question 7NRP reviewed

In the human body, the spleen

  1. AAre where gas exchange between air and blood occurs
  2. BOccupies the left upper quadrant and bleeds heavily when injured
  3. CForms the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway
  4. DAre the small airways that constrict during an asthma attack
Show the answer

Correct answer: B. Occupies the left upper quadrant and bleeds heavily when injured

The spleen occupies the left upper quadrant and bleeds heavily when injured. Anatomy underpins assessment: knowing what sits where is what turns a location of pain into a working hypothesis.

  • A. That describes the alveoli rather than this structure.
  • B. This correctly describes the spleen.
  • C. That describes the cricoid cartilage rather than this structure.
  • D. That describes the bronchioles rather than this structure.
Question 8NRP reviewed

In the human body, the anterior fontanelle

  1. AAre where gas exchange between air and blood occurs
  2. BOccupies the right upper quadrant of the abdomen
  3. CAre where gas and nutrient exchange with tissue takes place
  4. DIs the soft spot on an infant's skull that closes by about 18 months
Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Is the soft spot on an infant's skull that closes by about 18 months

The anterior fontanelle is the soft spot on an infant's skull that closes by about 18 months. Anatomy underpins assessment: knowing what sits where is what turns a location of pain into a working hypothesis.

  • A. That describes the alveoli rather than this structure.
  • B. That describes the liver rather than this structure.
  • C. That describes the capillaries rather than this structure.
  • D. This correctly describes the anterior fontanelle.

There are 54 EMR Secondary Assessment questions in EMS Registry Ready. Try 15 questions a day free in the app, no account needed.

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