1. Prior to giving mouth-to-mouth respiration:
- A. The airway should be opened by tilting the head back and lifting the chin
- B. The casualty should be sat upright
- C. The casualty's head should be turned face down
- D. The casualty should be given a drink of water
Answer: A — The airway should be opened by tilting the head back and lifting the chin
Head tilt with chin lift lifts the tongue away from the back of the throat and opens the airway so that rescue breaths can reach the lungs. Visible obstructions in the mouth should be removed first.
2. While giving mouth-to-mouth respiration, the rescuer should:
- A. Make an airtight seal over the casualty's mouth and pinch the nose closed
- B. Keep the lips well away from the casualty's mouth
- C. Leave the nose open
- D. Blow as hard and fast as possible
Answer: A — Make an airtight seal over the casualty's mouth and pinch the nose closed
A tight seal around the mouth with the nostrils pinched ensures the rescuer's breath goes into the casualty's lungs instead of escaping. Each breath is blown steadily over about one second, watching for the chest to rise.
3. What causes hypothermia in a person?
- A. Prolonged exposure to cold
- B. Prolonged exposure to heat
- C. Drinking too much water
- D. Lack of sleep
Answer: A — Prolonged exposure to cold
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces it, usually from prolonged exposure to cold air or cold water, so the core temperature falls below 35°C. Wind, wet clothing and immersion speed heat loss.
4. A sprain is an injury to a:
- A. Ligament
- B. Bone
- C. Blood vessel
- D. Nerve
Answer: A — Ligament
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of a ligament, the tough tissue that joins bones at a joint. A strain affects muscle or tendon, and a fracture is a broken bone.
5. ____ is a brain injury caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain.
- A. Stroke
- B. Concussion
- C. Epilepsy
- D. Fainting
Answer: A — Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted by a clot or by bleeding, causing brain cells to die. Signs include facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech (FAST).
6. First aid for heat exhaustion is to:
- A. Move the victim out of the heat and encourage them to drink water
- B. Wrap them in blankets
- C. Make them continue working
- D. Give them alcohol
Answer: A — Move the victim out of the heat and encourage them to drink water
Heat exhaustion is caused by loss of water and salt through sweating. Moving the casualty to a cool place, laying them down and giving water or an oral rehydration solution replaces lost fluid and prevents progression to heat stroke.
7. A ____ is a broken bone.
- A. Fracture
- B. Sprain
- C. Strain
- D. Dislocation
Answer: A — Fracture
A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. A sprain is a ligament injury, a strain is a muscle injury and a dislocation is the displacement of a bone at a joint.
8. ____ are a useful method of temporarily immobilising limb fractures.
- A. Splints
- B. Tourniquets
- C. Ice packs
- D. Hot compresses
Answer: A — Splints
Splints support an injured limb and prevent movement of the broken bone ends, reducing pain, bleeding and further damage while the casualty is moved or awaits medical care.
9. To prevent infection in wounds, burns and other injuries, all dressings and instruments should be:
- A. Sterile
- B. Waterproof
- C. Coloured
- D. Reusable
Answer: A — Sterile
Sterile dressings and instruments are free of micro-organisms, so they do not introduce infection into a wound. Dressings should be handled only by their edges and placed directly over the wound.
10. The adult human body contains about ____ litres of blood.
- A. Five
- B. Two
- C. Ten
- D. Fifteen
Answer: A — Five
An average adult has about 5 to 6 litres of blood. Loss of more than about 1.5 litres can lead to life-threatening shock, which is why controlling severe bleeding is a first aid priority.
11. The skull protects the:
- A. Brain
- B. Heart
- C. Lungs
- D. Spinal cord
Answer: A — Brain
The skull is the bony case of the head that encloses and protects the brain. The ribcage protects the heart and lungs, and the vertebral column protects the spinal cord.
12. A fracture is defined as
- A. A break or crack in a bone
- B. A tear of a ligament
- C. Displacement of a joint
- D. Bruising of muscle tissue
Answer: A — A break or crack in a bone
A fracture is any break, crack or discontinuity in a bone. A torn ligament is a sprain, displacement of a joint is a dislocation, and bruising is a soft-tissue injury; all may accompany a fracture but are not fractures themselves.
13. Death by drowning is mainly due to
- A. Lack of oxygen (asphyxia) caused by airway submersion
- B. Hypothermia of the limbs
- C. Swallowing large quantities of water into the stomach
- D. Salt poisoning of the blood
Answer: A — Lack of oxygen (asphyxia) caused by airway submersion
In drowning, liquid entering the airway or causing laryngeal spasm prevents oxygen reaching the lungs, so death results from asphyxia and hypoxic cardiac arrest. Water in the lungs is the mechanism of obstruction, but the actual cause of death is oxygen deprivation.
14. While giving mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration, the casualty's nose should be
- A. Pinched closed
- B. Left open
- C. Packed with gauze
- D. Pointed downwards
Answer: A — Pinched closed
During mouth-to-mouth ventilation the nostrils must be pinched closed with finger and thumb so that the air blown in enters the lungs rather than escaping through the nose. The chest should then be seen to rise with each breath.
15. In case of amputation, the severed part should be
- A. Wrapped in a clean moist dressing, sealed in a plastic bag and kept on ice
- B. Packed directly in ice and sent with the casualty
- C. Washed in hot water and kept warm
- D. Discarded, as it cannot be reattached
Answer: A — Wrapped in a clean moist dressing, sealed in a plastic bag and kept on ice
An amputated part should be wrapped in clean, moist gauze, sealed in a plastic bag and the bag placed on ice or cold water. Direct contact with ice causes freezing damage to tissue and reduces the chance of successful reattachment.
16. Frostbite is caused by
- A. Exposure of body tissues to freezing cold
- B. Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight
- C. Contact with corrosive chemicals
- D. Excessive sweating in a hot space
Answer: A — Exposure of body tissues to freezing cold
Frostbite is the freezing of skin and underlying tissues after exposure to sub-zero temperatures and cold wind, most often affecting fingers, toes, ears and nose. Sunlight causes sunburn and chemicals cause chemical burns.
17. Which of the following should never be given to a casualty in first aid?
- A. Alcohol
- B. Reassurance
- C. A blanket for warmth
- D. Sips of water to a fully conscious casualty with minor injuries
Answer: A — Alcohol
Alcohol must never be given to a casualty. It dilates surface blood vessels, increasing heat loss and worsening shock or hypothermia, depresses breathing and consciousness, and masks symptoms needed for medical assessment.
18. Excess loss of fluid or blood from the body can lead to a condition called
- A. Shock
- B. Stroke
- C. Epilepsy
- D. Concussion
Answer: A — Shock
Severe loss of blood or body fluids reduces circulating volume so the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to vital organs. This circulatory failure is hypovolaemic shock, which is life-threatening if not treated promptly.
19. What is the maximum time you should spend checking for normal breathing?
- A. 10 seconds
- B. 30 seconds
- C. 1 minute
- D. 2 minutes
Answer: A — 10 seconds
Resuscitation guidelines say to look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Spending longer delays chest compressions, and every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival from cardiac arrest.
20. What is the correct ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths in adult CPR?
- A. 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
- B. 15 compressions to 1 rescue breath
- C. 5 compressions to 1 rescue breath
- D. 10 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Answer: A — 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths
Current AHA and ERC guidelines recommend 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths for adults, for both single and two-rescuer CPR without an advanced airway. This maximises compression time while still providing ventilation.
21. If you are unable or not trained to give rescue breaths, which statement about CPR is correct?
- A. Give continuous chest compressions only
- B. Do not attempt CPR at all
- C. Give rescue breaths only
- D. Wait for trained help before touching the casualty
Answer: A — Give continuous chest compressions only
Compression-only (hands-only) CPR is acceptable and recommended when the rescuer is untrained or unwilling to give breaths. Continuous compressions at 100-120 per minute maintain some blood flow to the brain and heart until help and an AED arrive.
22. What action should you take if a casualty vomits while you are performing CPR?
- A. Roll them onto their side, clear the vomit, then continue CPR
- B. Stop CPR and wait for medical help
- C. Continue rescue breaths without clearing the mouth
- D. Sit the casualty upright and give water
Answer: A — Roll them onto their side, clear the vomit, then continue CPR
Vomit in the mouth can be inhaled and block the airway. The casualty should be turned onto the side to let it drain, the mouth cleared, then turned back and CPR resumed with minimal interruption to compressions.
23. CPR should be performed with the casualty lying on
- A. A firm, flat surface
- B. A soft mattress
- C. A pillow under the chest
- D. Their side in the recovery position
Answer: A — A firm, flat surface
Effective chest compressions need a firm, flat surface so that the force compresses the heart against the spine. On a soft bed the mattress absorbs much of the force and compressions become shallow and ineffective; move the casualty to the floor or use a board.
24. What rate of chest compressions should you aim for during CPR?
- A. 100 to 120 per minute
- B. 60 to 80 per minute
- C. 80 to 90 per minute
- D. 140 to 160 per minute
Answer: A — 100 to 120 per minute
Current AHA and ERC guidelines specify a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute for adults, children and infants. Slower rates produce inadequate blood flow, while rates above 120 reduce depth and allow too little time for the heart to refill.
25. What should you do if you feel a rib break while performing chest compressions?
- A. Continue CPR, checking that hand position is correct
- B. Stop CPR immediately
- C. Reduce compressions to half depth
- D. Switch to rescue breaths only
Answer: A — Continue CPR, checking that hand position is correct
Rib fractures are common during effective CPR and are not a reason to stop. A casualty in cardiac arrest will die without compressions, so the rescuer should check that hands are centred on the lower half of the sternum and carry on.
26. If you find a collapsed casualty, what is the first thing you should do?
- A. Check the area for any danger to yourself and others
- B. Start chest compressions
- C. Give two rescue breaths
- D. Move the casualty to the recovery position
Answer: A — Check the area for any danger to yourself and others
The first step of the primary survey (DRABC) is to check for Danger. A rescuer who becomes a second casualty cannot help; on board this means checking for gas, electrical, fire or machinery hazards before approaching, especially in enclosed spaces.
27. If an unresponsive casualty is not breathing normally, you should
- A. Call for help and start CPR immediately
- B. Wait five minutes to see if breathing improves
- C. Give water by mouth
- D. Place the casualty in the recovery position and leave
Answer: A — Call for help and start CPR immediately
An unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally, or only gasping, should be treated as being in cardiac arrest. Help and an AED should be summoned and CPR started immediately, since every minute of delay reduces the chance of survival.
28. What is the medical term for when a casualty's heart stops beating?
- A. Cardiac arrest
- B. Angina
- C. Hypertension
- D. Syncope
Answer: A — Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is the sudden cessation of effective heart pumping, causing loss of consciousness and breathing within seconds. Angina is chest pain from reduced blood supply, hypertension is high blood pressure and syncope is a brief faint.
29. What is the correct depth of chest compressions on an adult casualty?
- A. 5 to 6 cm
- B. 1 to 2 cm
- C. 2 to 3 cm
- D. 8 to 10 cm
Answer: A — 5 to 6 cm
Guidelines require adult chest compressions to a depth of at least 5 cm but not more than 6 cm, with full chest recoil between compressions. Shallower compressions do not generate adequate blood flow, while deeper ones increase injury.
30. A person has lost a significant amount of blood, has pale skin and is becoming confused. What is the most likely cause?
- A. Shock
- B. Seizure
- C. Stroke
- D. Heat cramps
Answer: A — Shock
Pale, cold, clammy skin, a rapid weak pulse and confusion or restlessness after major blood loss are classic signs of hypovolaemic shock. Reduced blood volume starves the brain and other organs of oxygen.
