EFMB Field Training & Endurance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a 12-mile foot march with a 35-pound load, a soldier begins showing signs of heat exhaustion. What is the FIRST action the medic should take?
- Administer IV fluids immediately
- Move the soldier to shade and remove excess gear (Correct answer)
- Call for MEDEVAC
- Give the soldier salt tablets
Correct answer: Move the soldier to shade and remove excess gear
The immediate priority is moving the casualty out of the heat source and removing restrictive equipment to allow cooling.
Question 2: The EFMB foot march standard requires candidates to complete 12 miles in what maximum time?
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 3 hours 30 minutes
- 4 hours
Correct answer: 3 hours
EFMB candidates must complete the 12-mile foot march in under 3 hours with a 35-pound load.
Question 3: Which condition is characterized by painful muscle spasms due to salt depletion during prolonged physical exertion?
- Heat stroke
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat cramps (Correct answer)
- Hyponatremia
Correct answer: Heat cramps
Heat cramps result from electrolyte loss (especially sodium) during heavy sweating and exertion.
Question 4: A soldier collapses during a field training exercise with hot, dry skin and altered mental status. This presentation is most consistent with:
- Severe dehydration
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke (Correct answer)
- Exertional hyponatremia
Correct answer: Heat stroke
Hot, dry skin combined with altered mental status indicates heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate cooling.
Question 5: When treating a heat stroke casualty in the field, what cooling method is most effective?
- Oral hydration with cool water
- Applying ice packs to the neck only
- Cold water immersion or wet sheet evaporative cooling (Correct answer)
- Fanning the casualty without water application
Correct answer: Cold water immersion or wet sheet evaporative cooling
Cold water immersion or wet sheet evaporative cooling is most effective for rapidly reducing core temperature in heat stroke.
Question 6: During cold-weather field training, a soldier's feet feel numb and appear pale and waxy. What condition does this indicate?
- Chilblains
- Trench foot
- Frostnip
- Frostbite (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Frostbite
Pale, waxy skin with numbness indicates frostbite, where tissues have frozen and require careful rewarming.
Question 7: What is the recommended fluid replacement rate for a soldier performing moderate physical activity in hot weather?
- 0.25 liters per hour
- 0.5 liters per hour
- 1 liter per hour (Correct answer)
- 2 liters per hour
Correct answer: 1 liter per hour
Army guidelines recommend approximately 1 liter (1 quart) per hour during moderate activity in hot conditions to prevent dehydration.
EFMB Field Training & Endurance 2
During a 12-mile foot march with a 35-pound load, a soldier begins showing signs of heat exhaustion.
What is the FIRST action the medic should take?