CPCA CPCA Emergency Response & First Aid 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What is the aide's FIRST action?
- Begin rescue breathing immediately
- Call 911 and begin CPR if trained (Correct answer)
- Shake the client vigorously to wake them
- Wait 5 minutes before calling for help
Correct answer: Call 911 and begin CPR if trained
Calling 911 activates emergency services while initiating CPR provides life-saving circulation until paramedics arrive.
Question 2: A client reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. What should the aide do?
- Give the client an antacid and monitor
- Call 911 immediately and keep the client calm and still (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to walk to the car for transport
- Apply a heating pad to the chest
Correct answer: Call 911 immediately and keep the client calm and still
Crushing chest pain with arm radiation is a classic heart attack symptom requiring immediate EMS activation.
Question 3: A client is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe. What should the aide perform?
- Back blows only
- The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) (Correct answer)
- Have the client drink water to dislodge the object
- Sweep the mouth with a finger blindly
Correct answer: The Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)
Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) create pressure to expel a foreign airway obstruction in a conscious adult.
Question 4: When should a personal care aide perform CPR on a client?
- Whenever the client falls asleep suddenly
- When the client is unresponsive and has no normal breathing (Correct answer)
- When the client complains of chest tightness
- Only when a nurse is present to supervise
Correct answer: When the client is unresponsive and has no normal breathing
CPR is indicated when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, as these signs indicate cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Question 5: A client has a minor cut that is bleeding. What is the correct first aid step?
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound
- Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage (Correct answer)
- Rinse with hydrogen peroxide vigorously
- Leave it open to the air to clot naturally
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage
Direct pressure is the standard first aid method for controlling minor bleeding from a wound.
Question 6: A client has fallen and is complaining of hip pain and cannot stand. What should the aide do?
- Help the client stand up immediately
- Keep the client still, call 911, and document the fall (Correct answer)
- Have the client crawl to a chair
- Apply ice directly to bare skin for 30 minutes
Correct answer: Keep the client still, call 911, and document the fall
Moving a client with a suspected hip fracture can worsen injury; EMS should be called to safely assess and transport.
CPCA CPCA Emergency Response & First Aid 1
A client suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally.
What is the aide's FIRST action?