THE PARAMEDIC COACH®

NREMT
SECRETS
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Congrats on taking action and moving forward with your NREMT Prep! This
“test-taking tips” guide will break down the best methods for passing the
NREMT exam at every provider level including EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.

My goal with this guide is to answer the simple question that I get asked so
frequently by students.

“Do you have any tips for taking the NREMT Test?”

Well, in fact, I do, let’s jump into the first tip which is focused on mindset and
attitude. I hear students all the time say “I’m bad at tests...I’m not a good test
taker... I’m terrible at tests.” What you say and believe about yourself tends
to come true. Before you even START to study or prepare for any exam, stop
saying these thoughts about yourself now.

I’m not kidding, with negative thoughts come negative results and you won’t
get the most out of this “test-taking tip” guide to the NREMT.

Say, “I’ve passed school, now I’m going to study and pass my NREMT. I’ll do
well on the test because I have prepared in advance.”

Now that we have the “negative” handled we can now begin to go over and
use these test-taking day tips. Let’s begin.

My first tip about the NREMT is that many students fail because they get too
technical in their answers. For example, on any NREMT exam they are always
looking for either the next best step, or what you should do next. Commonly,
this is a simple action versus an extreme action.

Always think simple over advanced and remember it is BLS then ALS, always
start any treatment plan low to high.
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The only time on exam we will change our tune on this is the unstable patient,
let’s discuss that.

So for the EMT level exams always remember if a life threat isn’t being treated,
please treat it first. Now for ALS providers, you need to understand stable
versus unstable on test day.

The NREMT will define stable on the basis of mental status and blood pressure
over or under systolic of 90. For example, a 66 YOF with a blood pressure of
88/60 with chest pain in SVT would get sync. cardioversion at 50-100J right
away. While a 66 YOF with a blood pressure of 110/80 with chest pain would
first get vagal maneuvers, then adenosine 6mg IVP.

Now, here is a tip for everyone: if someone says they have chest pain, they’re
awake! They’re telling you the mental status without saying it directly, this is
how they do it.

The next thing I want to discuss is “alarming or sneaky” words on the exam
such as agonal breathing or gasping for air, tired breathing, etc. What this can
be a sign of is respiratory failure – remember any patient with a low RR needs
to have ventilations in place, but please remember your steps with airway.

OPEN --> CLEAR --> KEEP OPEN --> VENT. O2

The above graph describes airway procedures for BLS providers. First, we
must open the airway. For medicals, head tilt chin lift. For traumas, jaw thrust
maneuver. Next, (BIG KEY) before you place an OPA or NPA, is the airway
clear? If not they’ll need suction for 10-15 seconds first. Now once we have a
clear airway or if the question says it is clear, now we place an adjunct (OPA/
NPA) and the next step would be to ventilate with a BVM at 15 LPM of Oxygen.
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Next, you need to know this COLD. What are the signs and symptoms of every
major medical and traumatic emergency? This is the majority of what you
should be studying.

If I asked you what are the signs and symptoms of Stroke, Asthma, COPD,
Hepatitis, Appendicitis, Sickle Cell Crisis, Graves Disease, CVA, MI, Angina,
CHF, Pulmonary Embolism, Pneumothorax, hypo/hyperglycemia, types of
shock? Would you know?

It’s a lot, I know I’ve been there, we’ll master these easily if we study the
correct way.

For my ALS providers, how strong are you at 12-Lead EKGs and EKG
interpretation; how strong are you at ACLS & PALS? This is where a majority
of your studying should be spent as well.

Next, I’d like to discuss a “test-taking tip” for every provider reading this
guide. When you get a question on test day, look the question over once,
then read the last sentence twice. Go ahead and select an answer. Now read
the question a second time, and the last line a third time, is your answer the
same? If so, answer ASAP and move on.

But what if it’s not? My first advice would be to always go with your gut. Now
with that being said, I would next try to eliminate what doesn’t make any
sense and start to rule things out, remembering the golden rule: NREMT
Loves Simple Actions.

Then make your answer and move on.

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Let’s continue with some study tips. Have you ever had a really hard time
focusing in class or while studying for your exam? We all have distractions in
our lives, here is how you are going to maximize studying time.

Alpha waves, YouTube “Alpha Waves” and put some headphones on. If you
are listening to audio or a video lecture for studying, listen to the alpha waves
on low in the background. The alpha waves allow you to hyper-focus on what
you are doing. This will make you a better student and increase any study
prep tool you are using.

Finally, let’s talk about “test day” questions. You need to think of every
question like you are at the scene, NOT IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER. Visualize
what you would REALLY do next and what’s practical.

Here is an example of putting this all together NREMT-Style

A 90 YOM presents with right-sided weakness, facial droop

and has a hard time communicating with you. His vital
signs are 13O/7O, RR 14, HR 88, SPO2 98%. What should you
do next?
A. Give Oxygen at 15 LPM (Non-Rebreather)
B. Give Oral Glucose Orally
C. Call Stroke Alert via Radio ASAP
D. Check a Blood Glucose Level

The answer my friends is D (Check a Blood Glucose Level). Why?

If you followed all the advice in this guide, your first feeling was “LOOK A
STROKE, I KNOW STROKE!”. This is where you didn’t follow the rules. If you
read the question, it says “What Should You Do Next?”
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The question never mentions a blood glucose level and every provider should
know no stroke is called a stroke until you check a blood glucose level.
That’s why it’s the correct answer.

Shall we try one more? Watch in this question how... “If You Know Signs &
Symptoms COLD, the Questions are Easy”

A 45 YOF, who takes Lasix at home calls 911. She complains

of difficulty breathing that started 2O minutes ago but is
getting worse. On exam you notice pink sputum production
and rales bilaterally, 2OO/1OO, HR 1OO, RR 24, SPO2 92% on
room air. What is the patient suffering from?
A. Acute Asthma Attack
B. Pericarditis
C. COPD
D. Congestive Heart Failure

Following our guidance of studying signs and symptoms you easily knew
it was D (Congestive Heart Failure). Do you know what Lasix is? Another
giveaway there.

Now my final tip. “What’s the best way to study for my NREMT Exam?”
Whether you are studying for EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic my recommendation
is the same.

You need to find a study tool that covers what you need to know to pass the
NREMT, and you need that study tool to be easy to interpret and mobile.
Studying should not be a struggle.

I highly recommend audio and video study materials while studying with other
people. I don’t recommend textbooks, flash cards, or practice tests alone for
one simple reason.
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Practice tests are simulations of a test, you are “testing your skills” not
practically studying. Which means you aren’t improving your true knowledge
of signs and symptoms that are needed to pass the NREMT. This is why so
many people struggle to pass.

So how does one study the correct way? Here is the solution.

Introducing the brand new NREMT Accelerator. It’s our brand new study video
and audio prep vault for NREMT students.

The NREMT Accelerator includes everything you need to be successful at

any provider level of exam, the private video vault includes 420 videos of
prep material and a private community where you can ask me any questions
at any time during your prep in the group. Finally, you can study along with
the group who is studying for the same goals you are; becoming nationally
certified.

Finally, as an added bonus you’ll get access to my original Paramedic Coach

Course, which will clear up any confusion of material that you encountered
in EMT or Medic school, in simple concise video and audio lessons that are
mobile and desktop friendly.

Thank you for picking up this guide and I wish you all the best on your NREMT
Exam!

Click or copy this link to get lifetime access to the Paramedic Coach
Course with instant lifetime access to the NREMT Accelerator.

https://www.prepareforems.com

P.S. – A few hours after you receive this PDF, you’ll get an invite to join as well
on messenger.
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I really hope you enjoyed this

“cheat sheet” and this guide
brought you clarity on this topic!

If you want to learn via video training with me,

I offer an entire video study course to EMT,
AEMT, and Paramedic students who are
preparing for school, struggling in school, or
preparing for NREMT exams.

I give lifetime access to my students and you

can learn more below:

https://www.prepareforems.com

Be Great!

Evan, The Paramedic Coach®

“The Paramedic Coach” is a registered trademark.