First Aid Principles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct sequence for addressing a collapsed, unresponsive adult?
- Call for help, open airway, check breathing, start CPR
- Check responsiveness, call 911, open airway, check breathing, begin CPR if needed (Correct answer)
- Begin CPR immediately, then call 911, then open airway
- Check pulse first, then call 911, then give rescue breaths
Correct answer: Check responsiveness, call 911, open airway, check breathing, begin CPR if needed
The correct sequence is: check responsiveness, call 911 (or have someone else call), open the airway, check for breathing, and begin CPR if the person is not breathing normally.
Question 2: When is it appropriate to move an injured person before EMS arrives?
- Whenever the rescuer feels it would help the patient
- Only when the scene poses an immediate life threat to the patient (Correct answer)
- Always, to make the patient more comfortable
- Only when a physician gives permission
Correct answer: Only when the scene poses an immediate life threat to the patient
Moving an injured person is justified only when leaving them in place poses an immediate danger, such as fire, flood, or structural collapse, since movement may worsen spinal injuries.
Question 3: What does it mean to 'stabilize' a patient in first aid terms?
- Prevent the patient from falling by holding them steady
- Control life threats and prevent the patient's condition from worsening (Correct answer)
- Strap the patient to a backboard
- Ensure the patient does not move voluntarily
Correct answer: Control life threats and prevent the patient's condition from worsening
Stabilizing a patient means controlling immediate threats (like bleeding and airway compromise) and keeping the patient as stable as possible until EMS takes over.
Question 4: A first aider finishes helping a patient and the patient seems fine. What should the first aider still do?
- Leave immediately to avoid further liability
- Document observations and care given and ensure EMS follow-up if warranted (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient they no longer need medical attention
- Dispose of any used supplies and say nothing further
Correct answer: Document observations and care given and ensure EMS follow-up if warranted
Good practice requires documenting what was observed and done, and recommending professional evaluation even when the patient appears stable, as some conditions worsen over time.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a subjective finding when assessing a patient?
- A laceration measuring 3 cm on the forearm
- The patient states they feel dizzy and nauseous (Correct answer)
- A respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
- A skin color that appears pale and clammy
Correct answer: The patient states they feel dizzy and nauseous
Subjective findings are what the patient reports (symptoms), while objective findings are what the rescuer observes or measures (signs).
Question 6: What is the best action when arriving at an emergency scene involving a vehicle accident?
- Rush to the vehicle and immediately help the occupants
- Park your car to block traffic, assess the scene for hazards, then approach (Correct answer)
- Call 911 from inside your moving vehicle while approaching
- Wait in your car until police arrive before doing anything
Correct answer: Park your car to block traffic, assess the scene for hazards, then approach
Scene safety is the first priority; park safely, activate hazard lights, assess for dangers such as fuel leaks or oncoming traffic, then approach the vehicle.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the 'secondary survey' in first aid?
- To replace the primary survey once immediate threats are controlled
- To perform a head-to-toe assessment after life threats are addressed (Correct answer)
- To reassess the patient only if their condition worsens
- To gather consent from the patient's family
Correct answer: To perform a head-to-toe assessment after life threats are addressed
The secondary survey is a systematic head-to-toe check done after life-threatening issues are managed to identify additional injuries or conditions that may have been missed.
First Aid Principles 3
What is the correct sequence for addressing a collapsed, unresponsive adult?