First Aid Principles 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the role of a first aider compared to a paramedic?
- A first aider can perform the same interventions as a paramedic on scene
- A first aider provides initial care to preserve life until advanced medical care arrives (Correct answer)
- A first aider is responsible for diagnosing the patient's medical condition
- A first aider administers prescription medications when available
Correct answer: A first aider provides initial care to preserve life until advanced medical care arrives
First aiders provide initial, bridging care — controlling bleeding, maintaining airway, preventing shock — while paramedics deliver advanced interventions and transport.
Question 2: What is the correct way to introduce yourself to a conscious, injured patient?
- Immediately begin treatment without speaking to avoid alarming the patient
- State your name, that you know first aid, and ask permission to help (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient for their insurance information first
- Tell the patient you are a doctor to gain their cooperation
Correct answer: State your name, that you know first aid, and ask permission to help
Identifying yourself and your level of training, then asking permission to help, establishes trust and obtains expressed consent from a conscious adult.
Question 3: What information should a first aider relay to the 911 dispatcher?
- Only the address — dispatchers do not need additional details
- Location, nature of the emergency, number of victims, and any first aid already given (Correct answer)
- A full medical history of the patient before anything else
- Their own name and certification level only
Correct answer: Location, nature of the emergency, number of victims, and any first aid already given
Dispatchers need enough information to send the right resources: where to go, what happened, how many are injured, and what is already being done.
Question 4: A first aider notices signs of shock in a patient. Which general principle applies to nearly all types of shock?
- Sit the patient upright to aid breathing
- Keep the patient warm, calm, and lying down while awaiting EMS (Correct answer)
- Give the patient fluids to drink to replace lost blood
- Apply cold packs to the patient's chest
Correct answer: Keep the patient warm, calm, and lying down while awaiting EMS
General shock management includes keeping the patient lying down (unless contraindicated), maintaining body warmth, minimizing movement, and activating EMS promptly.
Question 5: Why should a first aider avoid giving food or water to an injured patient?
- Food and water always worsen internal bleeding
- The patient may require surgery, and aspiration of stomach contents is dangerous under anesthesia (Correct answer)
- Hydration reduces the effectiveness of first aid interventions
- Patients in shock are never thirsty and will refuse it anyway
Correct answer: The patient may require surgery, and aspiration of stomach contents is dangerous under anesthesia
A patient who is 'nothing by mouth' (NPO) is safer for surgery; vomiting and aspiration under anesthesia is a life-threatening complication.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of applying the 'chain of survival' concept?
- Waiting for EMS before taking any action on a cardiac arrest victim
- Immediately calling 911, starting CPR, using an AED, then transferring to EMS (Correct answer)
- Performing first aid until the patient fully recovers without calling for help
- Calling a family member first before activating emergency services
Correct answer: Immediately calling 911, starting CPR, using an AED, then transferring to EMS
The chain of survival links early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation, and advanced care — each step improves the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
Question 7: A first aider feels overwhelmed after helping at a traumatic accident. What is the recommended approach?
- Ignore the feelings — emotional reactions are unprofessional
- Seek debriefing, peer support, or professional counseling to process the experience (Correct answer)
- Avoid all future first aid situations to prevent recurrence
- Immediately return to work and keep busy to forget the event
Correct answer: Seek debriefing, peer support, or professional counseling to process the experience
Critical incident stress debriefing and peer support are recognized methods for helping responders process traumatic events and prevent long-term psychological harm.
First Aid Principles 5
Which of the following best describes the role of a first aider compared to a paramedic?