First Aid Sudden Medical Emergencies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A person with known heart failure suddenly develops extreme shortness of breath, pink frothy sputum, and crackling lung sounds. This presentation suggests:
- Pulmonary embolism requiring CPR
- Acute pulmonary edema — call 911 and sit the patient upright (Correct answer)
- Pneumothorax — lay them flat
- Hyperventilation — have them breathe into a bag
Correct answer: Acute pulmonary edema — call 911 and sit the patient upright
Pink frothy sputum and crackles in a heart failure patient signal acute pulmonary edema; sitting upright reduces fluid backing into the lungs and EMS must be called.
Question 2: A teenager at a pool is pulled out unresponsive and not breathing. There is no pulse. After calling 911, what is the correct CPR sequence for a drowning victim?
- Chest compressions only — no rescue breaths
- 2 rescue breaths first, then cycles of 30:2 compressions and breaths (Correct answer)
- AED first, then start compressions
- Abdominal thrusts first to clear water, then CPR
Correct answer: 2 rescue breaths first, then cycles of 30:2 compressions and breaths
Drowning victims suffer hypoxic cardiac arrest, so rescue breathing is prioritized — start with 2 breaths, then continue standard 30:2 CPR.
Question 3: A 70-year-old woman is found confused with a blood pressure of 80/40 and heart rate of 130. Her skin is warm and flushed. Which type of shock does this presentation most suggest?
- Cardiogenic shock
- Hypovolemic shock
- Septic (distributive) shock (Correct answer)
- Neurogenic shock
Correct answer: Septic (distributive) shock
Septic shock causes vasodilation, producing warm flushed skin, hypotension, and tachycardia — unlike cardiogenic or hypovolemic shock where skin is typically cool and pale.
Question 4: You suspect a co-worker is experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Their symptoms resolved after 10 minutes. What is the correct response?
- Advise rest and reassess in the morning
- Call 911 — TIA is a medical emergency and a warning sign of impending stroke (Correct answer)
- Give aspirin and drive them to an urgent care clinic
- Document the event and advise them to see their doctor next week
Correct answer: Call 911 — TIA is a medical emergency and a warning sign of impending stroke
A TIA signals high immediate stroke risk; ~10-15% of TIA patients have a major stroke within 3 months, making same-day emergency evaluation critical.
Question 5: A runner collapses at the finish line and is not breathing or responsive. An AED is 2 minutes away. What should bystanders do in the meantime?
- Wait for the AED before starting any intervention
- Begin chest compressions immediately at 100-120 per minute (Correct answer)
- Move the runner to a shaded area before starting CPR
- Check blood sugar with a glucometer before starting CPR
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions immediately at 100-120 per minute
Immediate high-quality chest compressions maintain perfusion; every delay before compressions decreases survival, so do not wait for the AED.
Question 6: A person reports sudden onset of the 'worst headache of their life' with neck stiffness and sensitivity to light. What condition does this suggest and what should you do?
- Migraine — dim the lights and give over-the-counter pain relievers
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage — call 911 immediately (Correct answer)
- Tension headache — apply a cold compress and monitor
- Hypertensive crisis — have them sit quietly and call their doctor
Correct answer: Subarachnoid hemorrhage — call 911 immediately
A sudden 'thunderclap' headache described as the worst ever, with neck rigidity, is the classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage — a life-threatening emergency.
Question 7: While giving rescue breaths during CPR, you notice the victim's chest does not rise. What should you do before the next breath attempt?
- Increase force dramatically and try again
- Reposition the head with a head-tilt/chin-lift and ensure a proper seal (Correct answer)
- Skip rescue breaths and continue compressions only
- Turn the victim on their side and pat their back
Correct answer: Reposition the head with a head-tilt/chin-lift and ensure a proper seal
Failed chest rise usually indicates improper head position or an inadequate mask seal; repositioning corrects the airway and allows effective ventilation.
First Aid Sudden Medical Emergencies 5
A person with known heart failure suddenly develops extreme shortness of breath, pink frothy sputum, and crackling lung sounds.
This presentation suggests: