This page is a short, free look at how Third on Car presents a practice question and an explanation. It is study material for Canadian EMR, PCP and ACP students. It is not a COPR exam, and it is not a custom timed practice exam.
The six questions below are copied word for word from the existing question bank. The questions were reviewed for Canadian clinical wording.
How the explanations work
In Third on Car, practice questions come with explanations, so you can see why an answer is right or wrong, not only which letter to pick. The sample set below is meant to show that in public, without asking you to create an account first.
After you try the samples, you can go further in the full question bank, run a custom timed practice exam, or ask Pulse about a question you got wrong. Pulse is an AI tutor. Pulse is an AI-generated mascot, not a real paramedic.
EMR samples
Scene assessment and situational awareness for EMRs
An EMR arrives at a car that struck a power pole. A power line lies across the hood, and the driver is a 38-year-old man who is awake, talking and says he is not hurt. What should the EMR do?
Stay 10 m back, tell him to stay inside, call the utility
Open the door quickly and help him step out to safety
Lift the line off the hood with a dry wooden broom
Touch the car first to check whether it is safe to approach
Answer
A. Stay 10 m back, tell him to stay inside, call the utility
Explanation
A downed line is treated as live until the utility says it is de-energized. Responders keep at least 10 m away and tell an uninjured occupant to stay in the vehicle, because stepping out can complete a circuit through the ground. The scene needs the power utility before anyone approaches.
Stroke, seizure and altered consciousness for EMRs
Thirty minutes ago, a 68-year-old man suddenly became unable to lift his right arm, one side of his face sagged and his words became garbled. Which action fits the EMR role?
Give him something sweet to eat in case his sugar is low
Wait until his symptoms resolve and recheck him later
Give him water so he can take his usual morning tablets
Recognize a likely stroke, note the time and transport rapidly
Answer
D. Recognize a likely stroke, note the time and transport rapidly
Explanation
At EMR level, stroke care is recognition: a positive screen, last known well, glucose check if in scope, airway protection, nothing by mouth and rapid transport, notifying a stroke-capable hospital early. Food or water risks choking because swallowing may be affected.
PCP samples
Scene management as the senior care provider
A PCP crew finds five family members with headaches and nausea in a house with a running generator in the garage. One is a 30-year-old woman who is 32 weeks pregnant. What is the first priority?
Check SpO2 on each person to sort them by severity
Treat the pregnant woman inside, since she is the highest priority
Turn off the generator and ventilate before anyone moves
Get everyone out to fresh air and call for fire and more units
Answer
D. Get everyone out to fresh air and call for fire and more units
Explanation
Suspected carbon monoxide means the scene is unsafe for patients and crew. Everyone leaves first, and fire and extra units are called. Standard SpO2 cannot sort CO patients, because it reads carboxyhemoglobin as oxyhemoglobin. Once outside, high-flow oxygen goes to all, with priority to the pregnant woman, since fetal hemoglobin holds CO tightly.
Normal labour and delivery at PCP depth
A woman gives birth to a full-term baby who is vigorous, crying and pink, and is placed skin to skin on the mother's chest. When should the umbilical cord be clamped?
After about 60 seconds, drying and warming meanwhile
Within the first 10 seconds of the birth
Only once the placenta has delivered
Immediately, before the baby is dried
Answer
A. After about 60 seconds, drying and warming meanwhile
Explanation
Canadian guidance (SOGC and Canadian Paediatric Society, 2022) recommends deferring cord clamping for about 60 seconds in a vigorous term newborn. Waiting longer than 60 seconds increases the risk of jaundice needing phototherapy. Dry and warm the baby skin to skin during the wait, then clamp in two places and cut between the clamps. Follow your AHS EMS protocol.
Stroke systems, subarachnoid hemorrhage and what hospitals do next
A 46-year-old woman had a sudden severe headache that peaked within seconds while lifting weights, and her neck now hurts. She is alert with no deficits. What must be assumed?
A tension headache from muscle strain
A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) until proven otherwise
A migraine, since there are no deficits
Dehydration from the workout
Answer
B. A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) until proven otherwise
Explanation
A thunderclap headache that reaches full strength within seconds, especially during exertion with neck pain, is the textbook picture of a SAH from a ruptured aneurysm. An alert patient with a normal neurological exam can still have one, and a missed sentinel bleed can be followed by a catastrophic rupture. Transport for imaging and report the exact time of onset.
Transfusion reactions
Two hours after a plasma transfusion, a 39-year-old man has sudden hypoxia, fever and hypotension. His neck veins are flat and an X-ray shows bilateral infiltrates. Which statement about this transfusion reaction is correct?
It is likely TACO, and diuretics are first-line
It is likely a minor allergic reaction that can be restarted
It is likely a febrile reaction treated with acetaminophen alone
It is likely TRALI, and diuretics can worsen it
Answer
D. It is likely TRALI, and diuretics can worsen it
Explanation
TRALI is acute lung injury within 6 hours of transfusion, often from donor antibodies, and is most linked to plasma-rich products. It causes non-cardiogenic edema with hypoxia, fever and hypotension. Treat with oxygen and ventilation support. Do not restart, and avoid diuretics, which can deepen hypotension.
Third on Car is an independent study tool. It is not a substitute for your program's instruction, your medical director's protocols or clinical judgement. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school, health authority, COPR, NREMT, the American Heart Association, Heart and Stroke, or Alberta Health Services. Read the full medical disclaimer at /disclaimer.
