New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

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

Prepare for the NY State EMT Exam with our online resources. Study with multiple choice questions, detailed explanations, and practice tests. Master your EMT skills and excel in your exam!

Practice this question and more.


What emergency condition might a patient be experiencing if they report left arm pain and nausea before losing consciousness?

  1. Pneumothorax

  2. Cardiac event

  3. Severe allergic reaction

  4. Stroke

The correct answer is: Cardiac event

The symptoms of left arm pain and nausea, followed by loss of consciousness, strongly suggest a cardiac event, such as a heart attack. Chest discomfort and pain radiating to the left arm are classic signs of cardiac distress, particularly in men, while women may experience more atypical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are also commonly reported symptoms during a cardiac event, indicating potential involvement of the heart and circulatory system. Moreover, the sequence of these symptoms leading to loss of consciousness suggests that the patient's heart is not effectively pumping blood, possibly due to arrhythmias or decreased cardiac output, which is consistent with a severe cardiac condition. Understanding this can help emergency responders prioritize interventions such as administering oxygen, monitoring vital signs, and preparing for advance cardiac life support if necessary. Other conditions, such as a pneumothorax or stroke, may present with similar symptoms but often have different patterns, timelines, and additional signs that wouldn't typically include both arm pain and nausea together as initial indicators.