ARC First Aid and CPR 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing CPR on a medium-sized dog, what is the correct chest compression depth?
- 1/4 to 1/3 of the chest width
- 1/3 to 1/2 of the chest width (Correct answer)
- 1/2 to 2/3 of the chest width
- The full width of the chest
Correct answer: 1/3 to 1/2 of the chest width
For medium-sized dogs, compress the chest 1/3 to 1/2 of its width to achieve effective cardiac output.
Question 2: A rescued cat has a suspected broken leg. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action before transport?
- Attempt to realign the bone manually
- Immobilize the limb with a makeshift splint (Correct answer)
- Apply a tourniquet above the break
- Administer pain medication from your kit
Correct answer: Immobilize the limb with a makeshift splint
Immobilizing a suspected fracture with a splint prevents further injury and reduces pain during transport to a veterinarian.
Question 3: Which sign MOST clearly indicates an animal is in respiratory distress rather than simply panting?
- Open-mouth breathing after exercise
- Blue or purple tinge to the gums (Correct answer)
- Faster than normal heart rate
- Excessive drooling in hot weather
Correct answer: Blue or purple tinge to the gums
Cyanosis (blue or purple gums) indicates oxygen deprivation and is a hallmark sign of serious respiratory distress.
Question 4: When should rescue breathing be administered to an unconscious animal?
- Only when the heart has also stopped
- Whenever the animal is unconscious
- When breathing is absent or inadequate (Correct answer)
- Only for animals under 10 pounds
Correct answer: When breathing is absent or inadequate
Rescue breathing is indicated whenever an animal is not breathing or breathing is too shallow to sustain life, regardless of heart status.
Question 5: An animal rescue volunteer finds a dog with a wound that has a piece of glass embedded in it. What is the correct first aid approach?
- Remove the glass, then apply pressure
- Apply pressure directly on top of the glass
- Leave the object in place and bandage around it (Correct answer)
- Flush the wound vigorously to dislodge the glass
Correct answer: Leave the object in place and bandage around it
Embedded objects should never be removed in the field; bandage around the object to stabilize it and control bleeding without dislodging it.
Question 6: What is the primary reason to keep a rescued animal warm during transport?
- To prevent the animal from becoming aggressive
- To prevent hypothermia and shock (Correct answer)
- To slow the heart rate to a safe level
- To keep the animal calm and sedated
Correct answer: To prevent hypothermia and shock
Injured or stressed animals are prone to hypothermia and shock, and maintaining body warmth is a critical supportive care measure.
Question 7: How do you check for a pulse in a dog or cat during an emergency assessment?
- Press firmly on the animal's chest and feel for vibration
- Feel the femoral artery on the inside of the upper thigh (Correct answer)
- Press on the carotid artery in the neck
- Place your hand flat on the animal's abdomen
Correct answer: Feel the femoral artery on the inside of the upper thigh
The femoral artery, located on the inner upper thigh, is the most accessible pulse point in dogs and cats.
ARC First Aid and CPR 2
When performing CPR on a medium-sized dog, what is the correct chest compression depth?