CPCA CPCA Emergency Response & First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client with diabetes is shaking, sweating, and confused. What condition should the aide suspect?
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) (Correct answer)
- Dehydration
- Stroke
Correct answer: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Shaking, sweating, and confusion are classic signs of hypoglycemia, which requires prompt action to raise blood sugar.
Question 2: If a conscious diabetic client is experiencing hypoglycemia, what should the aide give them?
- A glass of milk and wait 30 minutes
- 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates such as 4 oz of juice (Correct answer)
- A full meal immediately
- Nothing — call 911 first before giving anything
Correct answer: 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates such as 4 oz of juice
The '15-15 rule' recommends 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates to raise blood sugar quickly in a conscious hypoglycemic client.
Question 3: A client develops sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech. What condition should the aide suspect?
- Epileptic seizure
- Stroke (Correct answer)
- Heart attack
- Fainting episode
Correct answer: Stroke
Facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are the hallmark FAST signs of a stroke requiring immediate EMS activation.
Question 4: During a seizure, what is the most important action a personal care aide should take?
- Restrain the client's movements
- Place an object between the client's teeth to protect the tongue
- Clear the area of hazards and protect the client's head (Correct answer)
- Give the client water to prevent overheating
Correct answer: Clear the area of hazards and protect the client's head
Protecting the client from injury by clearing hazards and cushioning the head is the correct approach; restraining or placing objects in the mouth is dangerous.
Question 5: A client has spilled hot liquid on their arm and the skin is red and blistering. What is the immediate first aid action?
- Apply butter or oil to soothe the burn
- Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for 10–20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover with a tight bandage immediately
- Pop the blisters to release pressure
Correct answer: Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for 10–20 minutes
Cool running water removes heat from a burn and reduces tissue damage; butter and ice can worsen burns.
Question 6: What information should the aide provide when calling 911 for a client emergency?
- Only the client's name
- The address, nature of the emergency, client's condition, and aide's name (Correct answer)
- The client's insurance information first
- Only state there is an emergency and wait for questions
Correct answer: The address, nature of the emergency, client's condition, and aide's name
Providing the address, emergency type, and client's condition helps dispatch the correct response team quickly.
CPCA CPCA Emergency Response & First Aid 2
A client with diabetes is shaking, sweating, and confused.
What condition should the aide suspect?