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MC exit exam questions and answers — Set 3 — Medical Care Course on Board Ship

Set 3 of the Medical Care Course on Board Ship (MC) exit exam bank — 30 of 296 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.

These are the bank's original groupings. Practising deals the whole bank out again every time you reshuffle, so a practice “Set 3” is a different 30 questions each time — the set numbers below are the source file's, and are only used here so the key stays navigable. Options are listed in their original order with fixed letters; when you practise, those move too.

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Set 3 — 30 MC exit exam questions with answers

1. Which of the following can cause a stroke?

  • A. A blood clot in an artery in the brain
  • B. A blood clot in an artery in the heart
  • C. A blood clot in an artery in the leg
  • D. A blood clot in an artery in the lungs
Answer: A — A blood clot in an artery in the brain
An ischaemic stroke occurs when a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, cutting off oxygen to brain tissue. A clot in a coronary artery causes a heart attack, in the lungs a pulmonary embolism and in the leg a deep vein or arterial thrombosis.

2. Which test should you use if you suspect that a casualty has had a stroke?

  • A. FAST - Face, Arms, Speech, Time
  • B. AVPU - Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive
  • C. DR ABC - Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation
  • D. Pulse, respiratory rate and temperature
Answer: A — FAST - Face, Arms, Speech, Time
The FAST test checks for facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech, and reminds the first aider that time is critical, so medical advice must be obtained immediately. AVPU assesses level of consciousness and DR ABC is the primary survey, not a stroke test.

3. When you first arrive at the scene of an accident, what is the first thing you should do?

  • A. Shout for help
  • B. Check the casualty's response
  • C. Assess the situation for danger
  • D. Check the casualty's breathing
Answer: C — Assess the situation for danger
The primary survey (DR ABC) starts with Danger: the first aider must make sure the scene is safe for themselves, bystanders and the casualty before approaching. Only then are response, airway and breathing checked and help summoned.

4. How many ureters are present in the human body?

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4
Answer: B — 2
There are two ureters, one from each kidney, carrying urine down to the single urinary bladder. Urine then leaves the bladder through the single urethra.

5. What is the usual insertion length (at the teeth) of an endotracheal tube in an adult male?

  • A. 21 cm
  • B. 23 cm
  • C. 22 cm
  • D. 24 cm
Answer: B — 23 cm
In an average adult male an endotracheal tube is normally positioned at about 23 cm at the teeth, and about 21 cm in an adult female. This places the tip in mid-trachea, above the carina, avoiding intubation of one main bronchus.

6. Which of the following is NOT a usual site for intravenous injection?

  • A. Veins on the back (dorsum) of the hand
  • B. Veins of the forearm
  • C. Veins of the thigh
  • D. Veins of the foot
Answer: C — Veins of the thigh
Peripheral intravenous injections are normally given into superficial veins of the forearm, antecubital fossa and back of the hand, and occasionally the foot. The thigh has no suitable superficial veins and the deep femoral vessels are not used for routine IV injection.

7. Water conducts heat away from the body at approximately what rate compared with air?

  • A. 10 times faster than air
  • B. 20 times faster than air
  • C. 30 times faster than air
  • D. 25 times faster than air
Answer: D — 25 times faster than air
Water conducts heat about 25 times faster than air at the same temperature, which is why a survivor in cold water loses body heat rapidly and develops hypothermia much sooner than one exposed to cold air. Keeping still and out of the water reduces heat loss.

8. By which method is body heat lost through sweating?

  • A. Radiation
  • B. Evaporation
  • C. Conduction
  • D. Convection
Answer: B — Evaporation
Sweat absorbs body heat as it changes from liquid to vapour on the skin surface; this is cooling by evaporation. Radiation, conduction and convection are the other ways the body loses heat, but they do not depend on sweating.

9. The best treatment for preventing traumatic shock after an accident is to ____

  • A. Have the victim exercise to increase circulation
  • B. Keep the victim warm and dry while lying down
  • C. Keep the victim away from electrical equipment
  • D. Apply ice packs and avoid excitement
Answer: B — Keep the victim warm and dry while lying down
A casualty at risk of shock should be laid down, reassured, kept warm and dry and, if injuries permit, have the legs raised. This helps maintain blood flow to vital organs. Exercise and cooling would worsen the condition.

10. Where there are multiple accident victims, which injuries should be the FIRST to receive emergency treatment?

  • A. Major multiple fractures
  • B. Airway and breathing difficulties
  • C. Back injuries with spinal cord damage
  • D. Eye injuries
Answer: B — Airway and breathing difficulties
In triage, life-threatening problems with airway and breathing are treated first because a casualty can die within minutes without oxygen. Severe bleeding follows, while fractures, spinal and eye injuries are dealt with once ABC is secured.

11. Severe exposure to chlorine gas can be fatal. Chlorine gas is primarily a ____

  • A. Respiratory irritant
  • B. Skin burning agent
  • C. Nerve paralysing agent
  • D. Blood agent
Answer: A — Respiratory irritant
Chlorine reacts with moisture in the airways to form acids that inflame and damage the respiratory tract, causing coughing, choking and pulmonary oedema. It is therefore classed mainly as a respiratory irritant, not a nerve or blood agent.

12. When you inhale, your lungs ____

  • A. Inflate
  • B. Turn purple
  • C. Deflate
  • D. Stop moving
Answer: A — Inflate
During inhalation the diaphragm contracts and the chest expands, lowering pressure inside the chest so air flows in and the lungs inflate. During exhalation the muscles relax and the lungs deflate as air is pushed out.

13. Humans are ____

  • A. Cold-blooded animals
  • B. Warm-blooded animals
  • C. Able to switch between warm- and cold-blooded
  • D. Neither warm- nor cold-blooded
Answer: B — Warm-blooded animals
Humans are warm-blooded (endothermic) and keep a near-constant core temperature of about 37°C regardless of surroundings. That is why exposure to cold causes hypothermia and excessive heat causes heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

14. What should you do if the victim has no pulse and no breathing?

  • A. Leave the victim as he is
  • B. Take him to hospital immediately
  • C. Start CPR immediately
  • D. Give him water to drink
Answer: C — Start CPR immediately
A casualty with no breathing and no pulse is in cardiac arrest; chest compressions and rescue breaths (CPR) must be started at once to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain while help and a defibrillator are summoned. Delay sharply reduces survival.

15. If a person has been overcome by fumes from a toxic cargo such as acetone cyanohydrin and has stopped breathing, you should:

  • A. Immediately start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
  • B. Get the resuscitator from the ship's first aid locker and use it
  • C. Place him in fresh air and let breathing restart by itself
  • D. Do nothing until professional medical help arrives
Answer: B — Get the resuscitator from the ship's first aid locker and use it
Acetone cyanohydrin releases cyanide, so mouth-to-mouth ventilation could poison the rescuer through contact with contaminated breath or skin. The MFAG advises artificial ventilation with a bag-valve-mask resuscitator and oxygen after removing the casualty to fresh air.

16. The recovery position should be used for a casualty who is unconscious but breathing. Why?

  • A. To prevent the casualty choking on his own vomit
  • B. To reduce nose bleeding
  • C. To correct any spinal injury
  • D. To ease the pain of broken bones
Answer: A — To prevent the casualty choking on his own vomit
In an unconscious casualty the tongue can fall back and vomit or blood can block the airway. The recovery position keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain from the mouth, which prevents choking and inhaling vomit.

17. When caring for a person who is allergic to bees and has just been stung, you should:

  • A. Help them use their adrenaline auto-injector (Epi-pen)
  • B. Apply a heat pack to ease the pain
  • C. Apply a cold pack
  • D. Both help them use the auto-injector and apply a cold pack
Answer: D — Both help them use the auto-injector and apply a cold pack
A person with a known bee allergy may develop anaphylaxis, so their prescribed adrenaline auto-injector should be used promptly. A cold pack on the sting site then reduces swelling and pain. Heat would increase swelling and spread of the venom.

18. When caring for someone suffering from frostbite, you should NOT:

  • A. Rewarm the affected part in warm water at about 37-40 °C (100-105 °F)
  • B. Rub the area vigorously until the skin appears red and feels warm
  • C. Handle the area gently
  • D. Avoid breaking blisters
Answer: B — Rub the area vigorously until the skin appears red and feels warm
Rubbing frostbitten tissue damages the frozen cells and worsens injury. The correct care is gentle handling, rewarming in warm water at about 37-40 °C if refreezing will not occur, protecting blisters and getting medical advice.

19. If someone conscious is having a diabetic emergency (low blood sugar), what should you do?

  • A. Give them a low-calorie drink such as diet cola
  • B. Give them a sugary drink or sugary food
  • C. Give them bread or pasta
  • D. None of these
Answer: B — Give them a sugary drink or sugary food
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is the common diabetic emergency and needs fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, fruit juice or a sugary drink, given only if the casualty is conscious and can swallow. Diet drinks contain no sugar, and starchy food acts too slowly.

20. If you find a crew member with heatstroke, you should:

  • A. Cool his body quickly, for example by soaking him with cool water
  • B. Give him water to drink if conscious, and no coffee, tea or alcohol
  • C. Both cool his body with cool water and give him water if conscious
  • D. None of these
Answer: C — Both cool his body with cool water and give him water if conscious
Heatstroke is a life-threatening rise in body temperature, so the priority is rapid cooling with cool water, wet sheets and fanning. If the casualty is conscious, give sips of water. Caffeine and alcohol worsen dehydration and must be avoided.

21. If you find a crew member who has collapsed, what is the first thing you should do?

  • A. Check the area for any potential hazards
  • B. Perform CPR immediately
  • C. Try to wake them up by shaking them
  • D. Call for emergency medical help
Answer: A — Check the area for any potential hazards
Under the DRABC approach the first step is to check for Danger, such as gas, electricity, machinery or a toxic atmosphere, so the rescuer does not become a second casualty. Only then is responsiveness checked by gently shaking the shoulders and shouting.

22. If there is no response from the casualty:

  • A. Give 1-2 minutes of CPR before calling 108 if the casualty is a child
  • B. Give 1-2 minutes of CPR before calling 108 if the casualty is an infant
  • C. Call 108 and then return to the casualty if the casualty is an adult
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
Adult cardiac arrest is usually cardiac in origin, so the lone rescuer calls for help and a defibrillator first. Children and infants usually arrest because of breathing problems, so about two minutes of CPR is given before leaving to call emergency services (108 in India).

23. 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 down
  • C. Call the person's doctor
  • D. Call emergency medical help (108) at once
Answer: D — Call emergency medical help (108) at once
A heart attack needs urgent professional treatment, so the first priority is to call emergency medical help, or on board ship to seek radio medical advice without delay. Rest in a comfortable half-sitting position and aspirin may then be given as advised, but never instead of calling help.

24. After activating the emergency response system, the next step is to:

  • A. Check for a pulse for 3 to 5 seconds
  • B. Start chest compressions at a ratio of 15:2
  • C. Start chest compressions at a ratio of 30:2
  • D. Check for a pulse for 5 to 10 seconds
Answer: D — Check for a pulse for 5 to 10 seconds
Under the BLS sequence a trained rescuer checks the carotid pulse, together with breathing, for at least 5 but no more than 10 seconds. If no definite pulse is felt, compressions start at once at a ratio of 30:2 for adults.

25. In the International Code of Signals, signals concerning requests and general information on medical matters normally consist of:

  • A. The letter A plus two other letters
  • B. The letter F plus two other letters
  • C. The letter M plus two other letters
  • D. The letter W plus two other letters
Answer: C — The letter M plus two other letters
The medical section of the International Code of Signals uses three-letter groups beginning with M, for example MAA 'I request urgent medical advice'. This lets ships exchange medical information with a radio medical service despite language barriers.

26. The simple pick-a-back (piggy-back) carry is used only when the casualty is:

  • A. Conscious and able to hold on
  • B. Conscious but unable to hold on
  • C. Unconscious
  • D. Unconscious with a suspected spinal injury
Answer: A — Conscious and able to hold on
In the pick-a-back carry the casualty is carried on the rescuer's back and must grip the rescuer's shoulders. It is therefore suitable only for a conscious casualty who is light enough and able to hold on. Unconscious or spinal casualties need other carries or a stretcher.

27. As per STCW 2010, certificates are revalidated at intervals:

  • A. Not exceeding 2 years
  • B. Not exceeding 3 years
  • C. Not exceeding 4 years
  • D. Not exceeding 5 years
Answer: D — Not exceeding 5 years
STCW Regulation I/11 requires masters, officers and others holding certificates to show continued competence at intervals not exceeding five years to revalidate. Medical care and first aid certificates follow the national DG Shipping revalidation rules.

28. What are the three basic steps you can take in an emergency?

  • A. Call, Check, Care
  • B. Check, Call, Care
  • C. Recognise, Decide, Call
  • D. Decide, Execute, Call
Answer: B — Check, Call, Care
The basic emergency action steps are Check the scene and the casualty, Call for help or emergency medical services, then Care for the casualty until help arrives. Checking first ensures safety and gives useful information for the call.

29. During the primary assessment of a responsive adult, you find a breathing rate of 28 breaths per minute. You would categorise this as:

  • A. Above normal
  • B. Below normal
  • C. Normal
  • D. Indeterminate
Answer: A — Above normal
A normal adult resting breathing rate is about 12-20 breaths per minute. A rate of 28 is fast (tachypnoea) and may point to shock, pain, chest injury or respiratory distress. It should be recorded and monitored.

30. The responsiveness of an adult or child is checked by:

  • A. Using smelling salts
  • B. Pouring cold water on the face
  • C. Gently shaking the shoulders and shouting
  • D. Shining a torch into the eyes
Answer: C — Gently shaking the shoulders and shouting
Responsiveness is checked by gently shaking or tapping the shoulders and asking loudly, 'Are you all right?' Smelling salts and cold water are not recommended and may cause harm, and pupil checks are part of later assessment.

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