Emergency Care, 15th edition

Published by Pearson (December 8, 2025) © 2026
  • Daniel Limmer
  • Michael F. O'Keefe
  • Edward T. Dickinson

Title overview

For courses in emergency medical technician training and emergency medical services.

A standard in EMS education for over 40 years

Emergency Care has provided generations of EMTs with the practical information needed for success in class and in the field. Grounded in National EMS Education Standards, it presents current practices through in-depth yet easy-to-grasp coverage. Critical-thinking features prepare students for real-world emergency scenarios.

All chapters of the 15th Edition were updated to meet current standards and science. New content recognizes the shifting roles of EMTs, especially in pharmacology and in uses of new technology. Additionally, terminology is more prominent in this edition, supporting success in practice and on the national certification exam.

Hallmark features of this title

Designed for student success

  • Objectives form the basis of each chapter. They were developed around the Education Standards and Instructional Guidelines.
  • Visual guides present patient assessment through a series of flow charts.
  • Patient care sections cover the fundamental principles and critical actions needed for various patient care scenarios.

Developing field-ready EMTs

  • Think Like an EMT is a scenario-based feature that offers practice making critical decisions.
  • Point of View tells stories of EMS care from the patient’s perspective and includes illustrative photos.
  • Chapter review includes a summary of key points, key terms and definitions, review questions, case studies and critical-thinking exercises.

New and updated features of this title

The evolving roles of EMTs

  • NEW: This edition introduces several medications being used by EMTs around the country, in recognition of the EMT’s shifting responsibilities, especially in pharmacology.
  • NEW: Technology changes were integrated into the Vital Signs and Monitoring Devices chapter. The chapter features a new introductory section on capnography and on using a cardiac monitor to assess vital signs.

Medical updates

  • UPDATED: Key updates were made to the medical emergencies section, including American Heart Association guidelines, resuscitation practice and terminology, updated definitions of anaphylaxis and emerging diseases.
  • UPDATED: Vital updates to the airway chapter include new devices and updates about properly ventilating patients.

Enhanced pedagogy

  • EXPANDED: Terminology is more prominent in the new edition, offering need-to-know information for class, practice and the national certification exam.
  • EXPANDED: New photos reflect new procedures. Additionally, certain photos were replaced to ensure a more complete representation of diverse populations.

Key features

Features of MyLab Brady for the 15th Edition

  • Through a unique Pre-test—Homework—Post-test system, students are auto-assigned homework questions based on their performance on chapter-based pre-test assignments. A follow-up post-test gauges their mastery of chapter topics.
  • Decision-Making Cases take EMT students through typical real-world scenarios. These cases give students practice thinking critically, gathering patient data and making decisions for care and treatment.
  • Street Scene videos showcase real-life calls and put students in the shoes of an EMT.
  • NREMT-style practice questions prepare students for their National Registry exam, including the latest Technology Enhanced Items (TEIs).
  • A Multimedia Library offers built-in visual and audio media, among other resources. Use it to create assignments, supplement lectures or provide access to a wealth of related material.
  • Pearson+ eTextbook lets students choose how they learn best. Part of your MyLab course, Pearson+ merges easy-to-use eTextbooks with study tools.

Table of contents

SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS

  1. Introduction to Emergency Medical Services
  2. Well-Being of the EMT
  3. Lifting and Moving Patients
  4. Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues
  5. Medical Terminology
  6. Anatomy and Physiology
  7. Principles of Pathophysiology
  8. Life Span Development

SECTION 2: AIRWAY MANAGEMENT, RESPIRATION, AND ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION

  1. Airway Management
  2. Respiration and Artificial Ventilation

SECTION 3: PATIENT ASSESSMENT

  1. Scene Size-Up
  2. Primary Assessment
  3. Vital Signs and Monitoring Devices
  4. Principles of Assessment
  5. Secondary Assessment
  6. Reassessment
  7. Communication and Documentation

SECTION 4: MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

  1. General Pharmacology
  2. Respiratory Emergencies
  3. Cardiac Emergencies
  4. Resuscitation
  5. Diabetic Emergencies and Altered Mental Status
  6. Allergic Reactions
  7. Infectious Diseases and Sepsis
  8. Poisoning and Overdose Emergencies
  9. Abdominal Emergencies
  10. Behavioral and Psychiatric Emergencies and Suicide
  11. Hematologic and Renal Emergencies

SECTION 5: TRAUMA

  1. Bleeding and Shock
  2. Soft-Tissue Trauma
  3. Chest and Abdominal Trauma
  4. Musculoskeletal Trauma
  5. Trauma to the Head, Neck, and Spine
  6. Multisystem Trauma
  7. Environmental Emergencies

SECTION 6: SPECIAL POPULATIONS

  1. Obstetric and Gynecologic Emergencies
  2. Emergencies for Patients with Special Challenges

SECTION 7: OPERATIONS

  1. EMS Operations
  2. Hazardous Materials, Multiple-Casualty Incidents, and Incident Management
  3. Highway Safety and Vehicle Extrication
  4. EMS Response to Terrorism

APPENDIX

  1. Basic Cardiac Life Support Review

REFERENCES

  • Medical Terms
  • Anatomy and Physiology Illustrations

Answer Key

Glossary

Author bios

About our authors

Daniel Limmer began EMS in 1978. He became an EMT in 1980 and a Paramedic in 1981. He is a lecturer at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and an Adjunct Faculty member at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Maine. Limmer especially enjoys teaching patient assessment and believes critical thinking and decision-making skills are the key to successful clinical practice of EMS.

In addition to his EMS experience, Limmer was also a dispatcher and police officer in upstate New York. He works part-time as a freelance photojournalist and is working on a documentary project photographing EMS people and agencies throughout the United States.

Limmer lives in Maine with his wife, Stephanie, and daughters, Sarah and Margo. He is a Jimmy Buffett fan (Parrothead) who attends at least one concert each year.

Michael F. O’Keefe is an EMT Provider Level Leader for National EMS Education Standards and an expert writer for the 1994 revision of the EMT-Basic curriculum. He has been an EMS volunteer since 1976.

O’Keefe is a member of the development group for the National EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach and The National EMS Scope of Practice Model. He is also past chairperson of the National Council of State EMS Training Coordinators.

O’Keefe has a special interest in EMS research and got a master’s degree in biostatistics. His other interests include science fiction, travel, foreign languages and stained glass.

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