WFR - Wilderness First Responder Sudden and Severe Illnesses Questions and Answers

Question 1

A member of your hiking party, a known diabetic, becomes confused, irritable, and starts stumbling. Their skin is pale and sweaty. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Provide them with a sugary drink or food, like fruit juice or candy.

Answer

Administer their prescribed insulin injection immediately.

Answer

Encourage them to rest and drink plenty of water.

Answer

Perform a detailed secondary assessment to check for injuries from stumbling.

Question 2

You are leading a group on a multi-day trip when a participant is stung by a bee. They quickly develop hives all over their body, start wheezing, and complain of a tight throat. What is the most critical intervention for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Assisting the patient with their prescribed epinephrine auto-injector.

Answer

Administering an oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine.

Answer

Applying a cold compress to the sting site.

Answer

Beginning immediate evacuation to the nearest hospital.

Question 3

During a lunch break on a trail, a 60-year-old man suddenly complains of a severe headache, slurs his speech, and has a noticeable facial droop on one side. Which sudden illness should you suspect, and what is a key part of your management plan?

Accepted Answer

Stroke; note the exact time of symptom onset and prepare for evacuation.

Answer

Heart Attack; have the patient chew four baby aspirins.

Answer

Seizure; restrain the patient to prevent injury.

Answer

Hypoglycemia; immediately administer sugar.

Question 4

A fellow backpacker suddenly collapses, becomes rigid, and begins to convulse. The seizure lasts for approximately 90 seconds. After the convulsions stop, the patient is groggy and disoriented. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate action in managing this patient?

Accepted Answer

Placing a bite stick or wallet in the patient's mouth to prevent them from biting their tongue.

Answer

Moving objects away to protect the patient from injury during the seizure.

Answer

Placing the patient in the recovery position after the convulsions cease.

Answer

Timing the duration of the seizure and monitoring their breathing.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios is the clearest indication for immediate evacuation for a patient experiencing a sudden illness in the wilderness?

Accepted Answer

A patient complains of crushing chest pain that is not relieved by rest and radiates to their left arm.

Answer

A hiker with a known seizure disorder has a single, 2-minute seizure and returns to their normal baseline mental status within 15 minutes.

Answer

A patient with a bee sting develops a large, localized swelling and redness at the sting site but has no trouble breathing.

Answer

A diabetic patient feels weak, but after eating a granola bar, their symptoms resolve completely.

Question 6

You are treating a patient for anaphylaxis and have administered a dose of epinephrine via an auto-injector. Their symptoms initially improve, but 15 minutes later, their breathing becomes difficult again and the hives return. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Administer a second dose of epinephrine.

Answer

Administer a large dose of an oral antihistamine.

Answer

Immediately begin CPR.

Answer

Assume the first dose was ineffective and begin rapid evacuation only.

A member of your hiking party, a known diabetic, becomes confused, irritable, and starts stumbling.Their skin is pale and sweaty.Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action?

A member of your hiking party, a known diabetic, becomes confused, irritable, and starts stumbling.
Their skin is pale and sweaty.
Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action?