EFA exit exam questions and answers — Set 18 — Elementary First Aid

Set 18 of the Elementary First Aid (EFA) exit exam bank — 30 of 1185 questions, with the correct option marked and a one-line explanation for every one. Read it end to end, jump to a single set, or search it — then sit the same bank as a timed paper. The real DG Shipping exit exam is 30 marks with 15 to pass.

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Set 18 — 30 EFA exit exam questions with answers

1. The contents of a first aid kit include all of the following EXCEPT:

A. Micropore tape
B. Macropore
C. Bandages
D. Scissors

Answer: B — Macropore

A standard first aid kit contains micropore (surgical adhesive tape), bandages, dressings and scissors. Macropore is not a first aid item; it is a distractor made up to resemble micropore.

2. Heat stroke attacks the body's vital organs EXCEPT the:

A. Brain
B. Heart
C. Kidneys
D. Bones

Answer: D — Bones

In heat stroke the core temperature rises above about 40°C, damaging the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and muscles and possibly causing death. Bones are not among the vital organs affected.

3. What is the best way to remove a tick?

A. Smother it in butter
B. Lift it out carefully with fine tweezers
C. Scrape it off with a hard, flat object like a card
D. Burn it off with a hot match

Answer: B — Lift it out carefully with fine tweezers

Grasp the tick with fine tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward steadily without twisting or crushing it. Butter, heat or scraping can leave mouthparts in the skin or make the tick release more infected fluid.

4. To safely perform a chair carry you need:

A. 2 rescuers
B. 3 rescuers
C. 4 rescuers
D. 5 rescuers

Answer: A — 2 rescuers

In the chair carry the conscious casualty is seated on a strong chair, and two rescuers lift it, one at the back and one at the front holding the legs. It is useful for moving a casualty through narrow passages or up and down stairs.

5. What is the most important thing to do if you think someone is having a heart attack?

A. Give aspirin and wait to see
B. Help the person lie flat
C. Call the person's own doctor
D. Summon medical help immediately

Answer: D — Summon medical help immediately

A heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest at any time, so the priority is to summon medical help at once (on board, radio medical advice). Meanwhile keep the casualty at rest in a comfortable half-sitting position and be ready to start CPR.

6. When performing adult CPR you give:

A. 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths
B. 10 chest compressions and 1 rescue breath
C. 10 chest compressions and 5 rescue breaths
D. 15 chest compressions and 3 rescue breaths

Answer: A — 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths

Current resuscitation guidelines for adults use a ratio of 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, at a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of 5 to 6 cm, repeated until help arrives.

7. Too much alcohol can damage the ____ and contribute to some cancers, such as throat and liver cancer.

A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Brain
D. Lungs

Answer: B — Liver

The liver metabolises alcohol, and heavy drinking causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Long-term alcohol misuse also raises the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and liver.

8. In general, when should a casualty with a broken bone be moved?

A. Immediately, before any splinting
B. Only after the fracture has been immobilised, unless there is immediate danger
C. Only after the bone has been straightened by the first aider
D. Never, until a doctor arrives on board

Answer: B — Only after the fracture has been immobilised, unless there is immediate danger

A fracture should be immobilised with splints or bandages before the casualty is moved, to prevent further damage to blood vessels, nerves and tissue and to reduce pain. Only immediate danger such as fire justifies moving first.

9. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of the infected:

A. Aedes mosquito
B. Anopheles mosquito
C. Culex mosquito
D. Housefly

Answer: B — Anopheles mosquito

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which bites mainly between dusk and dawn. Aedes spreads dengue and yellow fever, Culex filariasis.

10. In heat stroke, the casualty:

A. Sweats more and more to cool the body
B. Has lost the ability to control body temperature by sweating
C. Always has a normal body temperature
D. Has cold, clammy skin

Answer: B — Has lost the ability to control body temperature by sweating

In heat stroke the body's temperature-regulating mechanism fails, sweating stops and the core temperature rises dangerously. The skin is hot, flushed and dry, unlike heat exhaustion where the skin is cold and clammy with heavy sweating.

11. Which is the most severe form of heat-related illness?

A. Heat cramps
B. Heat rash
C. Heat exhaustion
D. Heat stroke

Answer: D — Heat stroke

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat stress. The body's cooling mechanism fails and core temperature rises above about 40°C, which can cause brain damage and death if the casualty is not cooled rapidly.

12. For a bleeding wound on the leg, which part of the body should be raised?

A. The head
B. The injured leg
C. Both arms
D. No part; the casualty should sit upright

Answer: B — The injured leg

Raising the injured limb above the level of the heart, together with direct pressure, reduces blood flow to the wound and helps control bleeding. Raising the head does nothing for bleeding from the leg.

13. What should be used to wash a chemical out of a casualty's eye?

A. A neutralising agent
B. Plenty of clean, gently running water
C. Eye ointment
D. A dry cloth

Answer: B — Plenty of clean, gently running water

Chemical splashes in the eye are flushed with copious clean water for at least 10 to 20 minutes. Neutralising agents must not be used because the heat of the reaction and the chemical itself can cause further damage.

14. The priority first-aid treatment for a heat stroke casualty is to:

A. Give hot drinks
B. Cool the casualty immediately
C. Cover the casualty with blankets
D. Let the casualty rest in the sun

Answer: B — Cool the casualty immediately

Heat stroke is life-threatening, so the casualty must be cooled immediately: move to a cool place, remove outer clothing, wet the skin and fan, or apply cold packs to neck, armpits and groin, while getting medical advice.

15. Which of the following should a frostbite casualty avoid?

A. Smoking
B. Taking warm drinks
C. Moving to a warm, sheltered place
D. Covering the affected area with dry dressings

Answer: A — Smoking

Nicotine constricts blood vessels and further reduces circulation to frozen tissue, so a frostbite casualty must not smoke. Warm drinks, shelter and loose dry dressings are part of correct treatment, and the area must not be rubbed.

16. Before entering a confined space, which of the following is correct?

A. Entry is allowed if you can hold your breath for a long time
B. The atmosphere must be tested and found safe, and entry authorised by permit
C. Entry is allowed for a quick rescue without any precautions
D. Only the oxygen content needs to be guessed from previous entries

Answer: B — The atmosphere must be tested and found safe, and entry authorised by permit

Holding one's breath gives no protection; a single breath of oxygen-deficient or toxic gas can cause collapse. The space must be ventilated, tested and authorised through an entry permit, or entered only with breathing apparatus.

17. Dengue fever is transmitted by the bite of the infected:

A. Anopheles mosquito
B. Aedes mosquito
C. Culex mosquito
D. Sandfly

Answer: B — Aedes mosquito

Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti, which bite during the daytime. Prevention relies on avoiding bites and removing standing water where the mosquitoes breed.

18. When removing chemically contaminated clothing from a casualty, you should:

A. Pull it off over the head quickly
B. Avoid passing it over the face, cutting it off if necessary
C. Leave it on until the casualty reaches hospital
D. Wash it on the casualty with a neutralising agent

Answer: B — Avoid passing it over the face, cutting it off if necessary

Contaminated clothing should be removed without dragging it over the face, eyes or mouth, so the chemical does not reach them. Cutting the clothing away is acceptable. The rescuer should wear protective gloves.

19. The signs and symptoms of a stroke:

A. Are always the same in every casualty
B. Vary depending on the severity and the part of the brain affected
C. Appear only in elderly persons
D. Always include chest pain

Answer: B — Vary depending on the severity and the part of the brain affected

A stroke interrupts the blood supply to part of the brain, so the symptoms depend on which area is affected and how badly. They range from mild weakness or slurred speech to paralysis of one side and unconsciousness.

20. First aid need not be attempted on a casualty who:

A. Is unconscious but breathing
B. Shows obvious signs of death, such as rigor mortis or massive injuries incompatible with life
C. Has no visible injuries
D. Has a weak pulse

Answer: B — Shows obvious signs of death, such as rigor mortis or massive injuries incompatible with life

First aid aims to preserve life. When death is certain, for example rigor mortis, decomposition or injuries incompatible with life, resuscitation is not attempted. In all doubtful cases, start and continue resuscitation.

21. After recovering from a faint, the casualty should:

A. Get up and walk about immediately
B. Remain lying down for about 10 minutes before getting up slowly
C. Be given an alcoholic drink
D. Stand in the sun to warm up

Answer: B — Remain lying down for about 10 minutes before getting up slowly

After a faint the casualty should rest lying down with legs raised, then remain lying for around 10 minutes and get up slowly. Getting up too soon can reduce blood flow to the brain again and cause another faint.

22. Which statement about immersing third-degree (full-thickness) burns in water is correct?

A. Large third-degree burns should be kept immersed in water
B. Large third-degree burns should not be immersed in water
C. Immersion in ice water is the best treatment
D. Hot water should be used to clean them

Answer: B — Large third-degree burns should not be immersed in water

Immersing extensive full-thickness burns in water increases the risk of infection and hypothermia. The burn should be covered with a clean, dry, non-adherent dressing, the casualty treated for shock and medical help obtained.

23. For a casualty with a bleeding head wound, the head and shoulders should be:

A. Kept slightly raised
B. Kept lower than the feet
C. Turned face down
D. Tilted sharply backwards

Answer: A — Kept slightly raised

With a scalp or head wound, keeping the head and shoulders slightly raised reduces blood flow to the head and helps control bleeding, provided there is no suspected spinal injury. Direct pressure is applied with a clean pad.

24. Rescue breathing should be continued until:

A. The casualty starts breathing on his own or qualified help takes over
B. Two minutes have passed
C. The rescuer has given 10 breaths
D. The casualty's lips turn blue

Answer: A — The casualty starts breathing on his own or qualified help takes over

Rescue breaths must continue until the casualty begins breathing normally, qualified help takes over, or the rescuer is exhausted. Stopping early allows oxygen levels to fall again, leading to brain damage and cardiac arrest.

25. What should be done for a casualty with critical burns?

A. Treat on board only with burn ointment
B. Take the casualty to hospital as soon as possible
C. Apply butter and wait
D. Burst the blisters and expose to air

Answer: B — Take the casualty to hospital as soon as possible

Critical burns, such as extensive, full-thickness, or those affecting face, airway, hands or genitals, need hospital treatment. At sea, give first aid, cover with sterile dressings, treat shock, get radio medical advice and arrange evacuation.

26. In the case of a broken bone, the first aider should:

A. Immediately try to relocate the broken bone ends
B. Immobilise the limb in the position found without trying to straighten it
C. Massage the injured area
D. Make the casualty walk to test the injury

Answer: B — Immobilise the limb in the position found without trying to straighten it

A first aider must never try to set or relocate broken bones, as this can damage blood vessels and nerves. The fracture is supported and immobilised in the position found, and the casualty taken to medical care.

27. Which of the following should NOT be given to a casualty with severe (third-degree) burns?

A. Alcohol
B. Reassurance
C. A clean, dry dressing over the burn
D. A blanket to keep warm

Answer: A — Alcohol

Alcohol dilates blood vessels and worsens shock and dehydration, and may interfere with treatment, so it must never be given to a burn casualty. Reassurance, sterile dressings and keeping the casualty warm are correct.

28. A tourniquet should be used to stop bleeding:

A. As the first resort for any bleeding
B. Only as a last resort when direct pressure fails for life-threatening limb bleeding
C. For all nosebleeds
D. For bleeding from the head

Answer: B — Only as a last resort when direct pressure fails for life-threatening limb bleeding

Bleeding is first controlled by direct pressure and elevation. A tourniquet is applied only as a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding that cannot otherwise be stopped, and the time of application must be noted.

29. On board ship, a first aider should know the location of:

A. The phones and intercoms for summoning help
B. The cargo manifest
C. The bonded store
D. The ship's library

Answer: A — The phones and intercoms for summoning help

In an emergency, time lost searching for a means of communication delays medical help. Crew should memorise the location of telephones, intercoms, alarm points and first aid equipment in their working and living areas.

30. Yellow fever is transmitted by the bite of the:

A. Anopheles mosquito
B. Aedes aegypti mosquito
C. Tsetse fly
D. Sandfly

Answer: B — Aedes aegypti mosquito

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Vaccination is required for seafarers visiting endemic areas in Africa and South America, and an International Certificate of Vaccination is checked by port health.

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EFA exit exam questions and answers — Set 18 — Elementary First Aid

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