First Aid First Aid Burns and Temperature Extremes Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A person has a chemical burn on their arm. What is the FIRST step in first aid treatment?
- Apply a neutralizing agent immediately
- Flush the area with large amounts of water for at least 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover the burn with a dry sterile dressing
- Apply burn ointment and bandage loosely
Correct answer: Flush the area with large amounts of water for at least 20 minutes
Chemical burns should be flushed immediately with large amounts of cool running water for at least 20 minutes to dilute and remove the chemical.
Question 2: Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?
- Hot, dry, flushed skin
- Shivering and confusion
- Heavy sweating, pale and moist skin, and weakness (Correct answer)
- Seizures and loss of consciousness
Correct answer: Heavy sweating, pale and moist skin, and weakness
Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating, pale and moist skin, weakness, and dizziness as the body struggles to cool itself.
Question 3: A burn that appears dry, leathery, and may be white, brown, or black with no pain is classified as:
- Superficial (first-degree) burn
- Partial thickness (second-degree) burn
- Full thickness (third-degree) burn (Correct answer)
- Superficial partial thickness burn
Correct answer: Full thickness (third-degree) burn
Full thickness (third-degree) burns destroy all layers of skin, appearing dry and leathery, and are often painless because nerve endings are destroyed.
Question 4: What is the recommended first aid for a person with mild frostbite on their fingers?
- Rub the affected area vigorously to restore circulation
- Rewarm gradually using body heat or warm water (98–105°F) (Correct answer)
- Apply direct heat from a heating pad
- Pop any blisters that have formed to release fluid
Correct answer: Rewarm gradually using body heat or warm water (98–105°F)
Mild frostbite should be gradually rewarmed using body heat or warm (not hot) water between 98–105°F to safely restore circulation without causing further tissue damage.
Question 5: When should you NOT rewarm a frostbitten extremity in the field?
- When the person is conscious and alert
- When there is a risk of refreezing after thawing (Correct answer)
- When warm water is available
- When the frostbite is limited to the toes
Correct answer: When there is a risk of refreezing after thawing
Refreezing thawed tissue causes far greater damage than leaving it frozen, so rewarming in the field should be avoided if there is any risk the area may refreeze.
Question 6: A worker spills hot tar on their forearm, causing a burn. The BEST initial action is to:
- Peel the tar off immediately to assess the burn underneath
- Cool the burn with water and leave the tar in place (Correct answer)
- Apply butter or oil to loosen the tar
- Wrap the arm tightly with an elastic bandage
Correct answer: Cool the burn with water and leave the tar in place
You should cool the burn area with cool water but never attempt to peel off tar or other substances stuck to a burn, as this can worsen tissue damage.
First Aid First Aid Burns and Temperature Extremes Questions and Answers 2
A person has a chemical burn on their arm.
What is the FIRST step in first aid treatment?