EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Crash Course with Online Practice Test, 2nd Edition by Christopher Coughlin Summary

EMT Emergency Medical Technician Crash Course with Online Practice Test, 2nd Edition is a targeted exam preparation guide designed for the NREMT Certification Exam. Written by Dr. Christopher Coughlin, an experienced EMS Program Director, the book provides a focused review of essential EMT concepts including airway management, cardiology, trauma, medical emergencies, and EMS operations, with practice questions and an online practice exam to help students pass in less time.

Dr. Christopher Coughlin is the Paramedic Program Director at Contra Costa College and a nationally certified EMS educator with over 30 years of experience as an NREMT paramedic. He was among the first 850 nationally certified flight paramedics (FP-C) in the United States. Coughlin wrote EMT Crash Course to provide students with a time-efficient, focused study resource based on his careful analysis of actual NREMT exam questions and firsthand classroom instruction experience.

EMT Emergency Medical Technician Crash Course is ideal for last-minute studiers preparing for the NREMT Certification Exam and prospective Emergency Medical Technicians seeking a quick, comprehensive refresher. The book serves students who want to focus only on essential, exam-relevant content rather than memorizing entire textbooks. It's particularly valuable for EMT candidates who need efficient study strategies, scenario-based practice, and actionable test-taking tips to maximize their limited preparation time.

EMT Crash Course with Online Practice Test, 2nd Edition is worth reading for its efficient, expert-driven approach to NREMT exam preparation. The book saves valuable study time by focusing exclusively on high-yield content tested on the exam, backed by Dr. Coughlin's 30 years of EMS experience. It includes practical test-taking strategies, 400+ essential medical terms, a full-length online practice exam with diagnostic feedback, and aligns with current National EMS Education Standards and AHA CPR guidelines.

EMT Crash Course with Online Practice Test covers all official NREMT test categories including airway, ventilation, oxygenation, trauma, cardiology, medical emergencies, and EMS operations. The book is organized into sections covering:

• EMS system history
• Safety and wellness
• Legal and ethical issues
• Communications
• Documentation
• Anatomy and physiology
• Patient assessment
• Shock and resuscitation
• Respiratory and cardiac emergencies
• Obstetrics and pediatrics
• Special populations
• Hazardous materials

EMT Crash Course by Christopher Coughlin explains the NREMT Certification Exam structure and computer-adaptive test (CAT) format so students know what to expect on test day. The book provides exam content breakdown by topic percentage, detailed question-level strategies for handling scenario-based questions, and guidance on managing the adaptive testing format. It includes practice questions at the end of each chapter and emphasizes mastery of NREMT skill sheets for the practical exam component.

EMT Emergency Medical Technician Crash Course focuses exclusively on information tested on the NREMT exam rather than comprehensive theory, allowing students to make the most of limited study time. The book presents content in outline-style format with targeted, indexed chapters rather than lengthy textbook narratives. Christopher Coughlin's approach prioritizes "must know" high-yield facts and competency-based skills over exhaustive memorization, with practical test-taking strategies integrated throughout rather than separated from content.

EMT Crash Course includes expert strategies for answering scenario-based questions quickly and correctly, with Dr. Coughlin sharing detailed question-level approaches based on his analysis of actual NREMT exam questions. The book explains how to handle the computer-adaptive testing format, which tailors questions to your ability level, and provides tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Students learn systematic approaches to patient assessment scenarios and time management techniques to maximize their exam performance.

The online practice test included with EMT Crash Course, 2nd Edition is a true-to-format NREMT simulation with automatic scoring and detailed answer explanations. The practice exam provides diagnostic feedback with topic-level scoring to help students identify weak areas and gauge their test-readiness. This digital component mimics the actual NREMT exam format, allowing candidates to experience the computer-adaptive testing environment before their official certification exam.

Christopher Coughlin's EMT Crash Course covers more than 400 essential EMT terms that students need to know before taking the NREMT Certification Exam. The book emphasizes that knowing the right medical terminology can significantly impact test scores. A downloadable glossary reinforces this critical vocabulary, helping students master the language of emergency medical services required for both the cognitive exam and professional practice.

According to EMT Crash Course, the NREMT Certification Exam is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that emphasizes competency over perfection, with questions tailored to the candidate's ability level as they progress. The exam is pass/fail rather than scored numerically, testing candidates across categories including airway and breathing, cardiology, medical emergencies, obstetrics and pediatrics, trauma, and EMS operations. Christopher Coughlin details the percentage of questions allocated to each topic area to guide focused study preparation.

Dr. Christopher Coughlin holds:

• AAS in Advanced Emergency Medical Technology from Glendale Community College
• B.A. in Adult Education from Ottawa University
• M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University
• Ph.D. in Professional Studies from Capella University

He has served as EMS Program Director at both Glendale Community College and Contra Costa College, worked as a critical care flight paramedic in Phoenix, and has been an NREMT paramedic since 1991.