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MFA exit exam questions and answers — Set 10 — Medical First Aid

Set 10 of the Medical First Aid (MFA) exit exam bank — 30 of 675 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 10 — 30 MFA exit exam questions with answers

1. The muscles of the heart are called ____ muscles.

  • A. Cardiac
  • B. Skeletal
  • C. Smooth
  • D. Voluntary
Answer: A — Cardiac
Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart wall. It contracts rhythmically and continuously without conscious control and does not tire like skeletal muscle.

2. Which of these is NOT one of the three types of muscle tissue?

  • A. Flexible muscle
  • B. Skeletal muscle
  • C. Smooth muscle
  • D. Cardiac muscle
Answer: A — Flexible muscle
The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal (voluntary), smooth (involuntary, found in internal organs) and cardiac (heart). There is no muscle tissue type called flexible muscle.

3. A burn may occur when electricity passes through the body, with most damage at the points of entry and exit. After ensuring the casualty is clear of the current, what is the treatment of the electrical burns?

  • A. Cool the burns and cover them with a sterile dressing secured with a bandage
  • B. Apply butter or oil to the burns
  • C. Burst any blisters
  • D. Rub the burns with ice
Answer: A — Cool the burns and cover them with a sterile dressing secured with a bandage
Once the power is isolated, check breathing and pulse, then cool and cover entry and exit burns with sterile non-fluffy dressings. Electrical burns may be deeper than they appear, so medical advice is always needed.

4. What will you give a conscious seafarer who has been exposed to cold?

  • A. Warm, sweet nutritious drinks
  • B. Alcohol such as brandy
  • C. Iced water
  • D. Strong sedatives
Answer: A — Warm, sweet nutritious drinks
A conscious hypothermic casualty should be sheltered, dried, insulated and given warm sweet drinks to provide energy. Alcohol dilates surface blood vessels and increases heat loss, so it must never be given.

5. Asthma is a condition in which the muscles of the air passages go into spasm. How can asthma attacks be triggered?

  • A. By nervous tension, allergy, or sometimes no obvious cause
  • B. Only by eating sugar
  • C. Only by broken bones
  • D. Only by drinking water
Answer: A — By nervous tension, allergy, or sometimes no obvious cause
Asthma attacks may be set off by allergens such as dust or pollen, cold air, exercise, smoke, infection or stress, and sometimes there is no obvious trigger. The casualty should sit upright and use their reliever inhaler.

6. To treat strains and sprains, use the acronym RICE, which means

  • A. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
  • B. Run, Ice, Cover, Exercise
  • C. Rub, Immobilise, Cool, Exercise
  • D. Rest, Inject, Cover, Examine
Answer: A — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE reduces pain and swelling in soft tissue injuries: Rest the injured part, apply Ice or a cold pack, give Compression with a supporting bandage and Elevate the limb.

7. A poison can enter the body through swallowing, inhaling, absorption through the skin and ____.

  • A. Injection
  • B. Sweating
  • C. Hair growth
  • D. Blinking
Answer: A — Injection
Poisons enter the body by four routes: ingestion, inhalation, absorption through skin or eyes, and injection such as bites, stings or needles. Identifying the route guides first aid treatment.

8. When giving chest compressions, approximately how many compressions per minute are correct?

  • A. 100 to 120 per minute
  • B. About 60 per minute
  • C. About 30 per minute
  • D. About 160 per minute
Answer: A — 100 to 120 per minute
Current resuscitation guidelines require chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute for adults, children and infants. Slower rates do not produce adequate blood flow to the brain and heart.

9. When internal injury is suspected, which of the following should NOT be done?

  • A. Give the casualty a drink of water
  • B. Keep the casualty lying down and at rest
  • C. Treat for shock and keep the casualty warm
  • D. Monitor breathing and pulse
Answer: A — Give the casualty a drink of water
A casualty with suspected internal injuries may need surgery under anaesthesia, so nothing is given by mouth. Keep the casualty at rest, treat for shock, monitor vital signs and obtain medical advice urgently.

10. Which of these is considered the best way to control severe bleeding?

  • A. Direct pressure over the wound
  • B. Applying a tourniquet as the first step
  • C. Washing the wound with water
  • D. Applying ice to the wound
Answer: A — Direct pressure over the wound
Firm direct pressure on the wound with a pad or the hand compresses the bleeding vessels and allows clotting. It is combined with elevation and rest; a tourniquet is reserved for life-threatening limb bleeding that direct pressure cannot control.

11. The abdominal thrust is a technique used to force air out of a choking casualty's lungs. How is it performed?

  • A. Stand behind the casualty, place a clenched fist in the centre of the upper abdomen, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards
  • B. Lay the casualty on the back and press down on the lower chest
  • C. Strike the casualty firmly between the shoulder blades
  • D. Squeeze the casualty's chest from the sides
Answer: A — Stand behind the casualty, place a clenched fist in the centre of the upper abdomen, grasp it with the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards
For abdominal thrusts the rescuer stands behind the casualty, places the fist just above the navel, grasps it with the other hand and pulls sharply inwards and upwards. This raises pressure in the chest and can expel the obstruction.

12. The treatment for a muscle strain may be remembered as RICE. What does RICE stand for?

  • A. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
  • B. Rub, Immobilise, Cool, Exercise
  • C. Rest, Inspect, Clean, Examine
  • D. Relax, Ice, Comfort, Exercise
Answer: A — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Resting the part, applying a cold compress, using a firm bandage and raising the limb reduce swelling, bruising and pain in sprains and strains.

13. How can you prevent a person who feels faint from fainting?

  • A. Tell the person to sit down and lean forward with the head between the knees, taking deep breaths
  • B. Make the person stand up and walk briskly
  • C. Give the person an alcoholic drink
  • D. Splash hot water on the person's face
Answer: A — Tell the person to sit down and lean forward with the head between the knees, taking deep breaths
Lowering the head below the level of the heart, by sitting with the head between the knees or lying down with the legs raised, improves blood flow to the brain and usually prevents a faint.

14. The ABC rule is important for first aiders. What does ABC stand for?

  • A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
  • B. Alert, Breathe, Compress
  • C. Assess, Bandage, Carry
  • D. Ambulance, Bleeding, Consciousness
Answer: A — Airway, Breathing, Circulation
ABC is the order of priorities in assessing a casualty: open and clear the Airway, check Breathing and support it if needed, and maintain Circulation by controlling bleeding and giving chest compressions.

15. When using a compression bandage, what shows that the bandage may be too tight?

  • A. Fingers or toes beyond the bandage become pale or bluish, cold, numb or tingling
  • B. The bandage looks neat and firm
  • C. The casualty can move the fingers normally
  • D. The skin beyond the bandage is warm and pink
Answer: A — Fingers or toes beyond the bandage become pale or bluish, cold, numb or tingling
A bandage that is too tight restricts circulation below it. Check the fingers or toes beyond the bandage: pallor or blueness, coldness, numbness, tingling or slow return of colour after pressing the nail mean it must be loosened.

16. Exposure to cold conditions may cause ____.

  • A. Hypothermia
  • B. Hyperthermia
  • C. Heat stroke
  • D. Heat exhaustion
Answer: A — Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a fall of body core temperature below 35°C caused by exposure to cold air or water. Seafarers in the water or in survival craft are at particular risk, which is why immersion suits and thermal protective aids are carried.

17. 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.

18. 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).

19. 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.

20. Signs of an allergic reaction to a bee sting are:

  • A. A feeling of tightness in the chest and throat
  • B. Swelling of the face, neck and tongue
  • C. Rash, dizziness or confusion
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause chest and throat tightness, swelling of the face, neck and tongue, rash or hives, dizziness and confusion. It can quickly block the airway and cause shock, so adrenaline and urgent medical help are needed.

21. What should you do if you think a casualty has serious internal bleeding?

  • A. Apply heat to the injured area
  • B. Call for emergency medical help
  • C. Place the casualty in a sitting position
  • D. Give fluids to replace blood loss
Answer: B — Call for emergency medical help
Internal bleeding cannot be controlled by first aid and needs urgent hospital care. Call for help at once or obtain radio medical advice at sea, treat for shock by lying the casualty down, and give nothing by mouth in case surgery is needed.

22. In general, a splint should be:

  • A. Loose, so that the casualty can still move the injured limb
  • B. Snug, but not so tight that it slows circulation
  • C. Tied with cravats over the injured area
  • D. None of the above
Answer: B — Snug, but not so tight that it slows circulation
A splint must immobilise the fracture and the joints above and below it, so it should be firm. It must not be so tight that it cuts off circulation, and knots and ties should not be placed directly over the injury. Circulation is checked after applying it.

23. When caring for a choking infant, in what position is the infant held?

  • A. Upside down by the ankles and shoulders
  • B. Face up on a flat surface
  • C. Face down along your forearm with the head lower than the body
  • D. Face down on your knee with the head lower than the body
Answer: C — Face down along your forearm with the head lower than the body
A choking infant is laid face down along the rescuer's forearm, supported at the jaw, with the head lower than the chest. Up to five back blows are given, then the infant is turned for chest thrusts. Infants must never be held upside down by the ankles.

24. You find a person at the bottom of a stairway who appears to have fallen and seems badly hurt. After sending someone for help, you should:

  • A. Roll the casualty onto his stomach, keeping the head and back in line
  • B. Roll the casualty onto one side
  • C. Sit the casualty up to help him breathe
  • D. Try to keep the casualty from moving
Answer: D — Try to keep the casualty from moving
A fall from height may cause a spinal injury, so the casualty should be kept still with the head supported in line, unless the airway or danger makes moving unavoidable. Unnecessary movement could cause permanent paralysis.

25. Chest compressions should be started within ____ of recognising cardiac arrest.

  • A. 10 seconds
  • B. 20 seconds
  • C. 2 seconds
  • D. 15 seconds
Answer: A — 10 seconds
BLS guidelines stress minimal delay: the check for breathing and pulse should take no more than 10 seconds, and compressions should begin within 10 seconds of recognising cardiac arrest. Every minute without CPR greatly lowers the chance of survival.

26. 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 adult CPR guidelines use a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths for both single and two rescuers. Compressions are given at 100-120 per minute and 5-6 cm deep, with minimal interruptions.

27. What does the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend untrained bystanders do if they witness a cardiac emergency?

  • A. Call for help but do not perform CPR
  • B. Do nothing
  • C. Call for help and perform conventional CPR with rescue breaths
  • D. Call for help and perform hands-only CPR
Answer: D — Call for help and perform hands-only CPR
The AHA advises untrained bystanders who see an adult suddenly collapse to call for help and give hands-only CPR, pushing hard and fast in the centre of the chest. Compression-only CPR is easy to learn and keeps blood flowing until an AED or trained help arrives.

28. On an infant, where would you check the pulse?

  • A. Inside the wrist just above the hand
  • B. On the neck to the right or left side of the windpipe
  • C. Behind the kneecap
  • D. Inside the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder
Answer: D — Inside the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder
In infants the brachial pulse on the inside of the upper arm, between elbow and shoulder, is used because the short neck makes the carotid pulse hard to locate and the radial pulse is weak. The carotid is used for adults and children.

29. What is a faint?

  • A. A response to fear
  • B. An unexpected collapse
  • C. A brief loss of consciousness
  • D. A sign of flu
Answer: C — A brief loss of consciousness
A faint (syncope) is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. Recovery is usually quick once the casualty lies down; raising the legs helps restore blood flow to the brain.

30. What is the proper first aid for LPG in the eye?

  • A. Rub the eye area clean
  • B. Apply an ice pack to the eye
  • C. Flush the eye with plenty of water
  • D. Keep the eyelid closed
Answer: C — Flush the eye with plenty of water
Liquefied gas in the eye causes freezing (cold burn) and irritation. The eye should be flushed gently with plenty of clean lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes with the eyelids held open, and medical advice obtained. Rubbing or ice worsens tissue damage.

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