NPLQ - National Pool Lifeguard Qualification First Aid and Casualty Care Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A swimmer exits the water and complains of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness in their chest. They use their prescribed inhaler, but their symptoms do not improve. What is the most appropriate next step for the lifeguard to take?
- Encourage the casualty to take a second dose from their inhaler immediately.
- Advise the casualty to sit in a steamy room to help ease their breathing.
- Call for an ambulance as this could be a severe asthma attack. (Correct answer)
- Tell the casualty to take slow, deep breaths and wait for 10 minutes to see if symptoms subside.
Correct answer: Call for an ambulance as this could be a severe asthma attack.
If a casualty's condition does not improve after using their inhaler, or if they do not have their inhaler, it should be treated as a medical emergency. A severe asthma attack requires urgent medical attention, and therefore, an ambulance must be called.
Question 2: A casualty has a severe bleeding wound on their forearm. You have applied direct pressure with a sterile dressing, but the blood is soaking through. What should you do next?
- Remove the soaked dressing and apply a new one.
- Apply a second dressing on top of the first and maintain pressure. (Correct answer)
- Immediately apply a tourniquet above the wound.
- Rinse the wound with pool water to clean it before applying more pressure.
Correct answer: Apply a second dressing on top of the first and maintain pressure.
If blood soaks through the first dressing, do not remove it as this will dislodge any clot that has started to form. Instead, apply a second dressing on top of the first and continue to apply firm pressure to control the bleeding.
Question 3: Which of the following is the primary first aid treatment for a casualty who is showing signs of shock, such as pale, cold, clammy skin and a rapid, weak pulse?
- Give them a warm, sweet drink to raise their blood sugar.
- Help them to walk around slowly to improve circulation.
- Sit them upright and tilt their head forward.
- Lay them down, and if possible, elevate their legs. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lay them down, and if possible, elevate their legs.
The correct first aid for a casualty in shock is to lay them down to improve blood flow to vital organs. Elevating their legs can further assist this process, provided there are no leg or spinal injuries. Giving food or drink is not advised, and moving them is inappropriate.
Question 4: You are treating a casualty who has sustained a minor cut to their foot on the poolside. After cleaning the wound and applying a plaster, what is the most important piece of aftercare advice to give them?
- To keep the wound completely dry for the next 48 hours.
- To expose the cut to direct sunlight to help it heal faster.
- To check the wound regularly for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling. (Correct answer)
- To apply a tight bandage over the plaster to stop it from falling off.
Correct answer: To check the wound regularly for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling.
While keeping a wound clean and dry is important, the most critical advice is to monitor for signs of infection. Redness, increased pain, swelling, or pus are indicators that medical advice should be sought.
Question 5: A person in the water is having a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure. What is the lifeguard's immediate priority?
- Restrain the casualty's limbs to prevent injury.
- Remove the casualty from the water as quickly as possible.
- Support the casualty's head to keep their face and airway clear of the water. (Correct answer)
- Place a bite block in their mouth to prevent them from swallowing their tongue.
Correct answer: Support the casualty's head to keep their face and airway clear of the water.
During a seizure in the water, the immediate priority is to protect the casualty's airway. The lifeguard must support the person's head to keep their face out of the water, allowing them to breathe. Removal from the water should happen once the active seizure has subsided, and nothing should ever be placed in the casualty's mouth.
Question 6: Which of the following conditions involves a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention?
- Angina
- Hypoglycaemia
- Anaphylaxis (Correct answer)
- Dehydration
Correct answer: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction. It can cause breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, and other serious symptoms, requiring an immediate emergency response, often including the administration of adrenaline.
NPLQ - National Pool Lifeguard Qualification First Aid and Casualty Care Questions and Answers 1
A swimmer exits the water and complains of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness in their chest.
They use their prescribed inhaler, but their symptoms do not improve.
What is the most appropriate next step for the lifeguard to take?