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MFA exit exam questions and answers — Set 8 — Medical First Aid

Set 8 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 8 — 30 MFA exit exam questions with answers

1. Shock that is caused by severe infection, as seen in burn victims after about a week, is called ____ shock.

  • A. Haemorrhagic
  • B. Cardiogenic
  • C. Anaphylactic
  • D. Septic
Answer: D — Septic
Septic shock results from a severe infection spreading in the bloodstream, which causes blood vessels to dilate and pressure to fall. Burn wounds are prone to infection, so septic shock may appear days after the injury.

2. For frostbite victims, you should NOT ____.

  • A. Soak the affected part in warm water at about 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 frozen tissue causes ice crystals to damage the cells further. The frostbitten part should be handled gently, rewarmed in warm water, and blisters left intact.

3. For a casualty with a bleeding mouth but no head, neck or spine injury, you should ____.

  • A. Keep the victim seated with the head tilted slightly forward
  • B. Keep the victim seated with the head tilted slightly backward
  • C. Have the victim lie down on their side
  • D. Either seat the victim with the head tilted forward or lay them on their side
Answer: D — Either seat the victim with the head tilted forward or lay them on their side
With no suspected head, neck or spine injury, the casualty should sit leaning slightly forward or lie on their side so that blood drains out of the mouth instead of being swallowed or blocking the airway.

4. For adult CPR, the chest should be compressed to a depth of about ____.

  • A. 1.5 inches (4 cm)
  • B. 2 inches (5 cm)
  • C. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
  • D. 4 inches (10 cm)
Answer: B — 2 inches (5 cm)
Current resuscitation guidelines call for adult chest compressions at least 5 cm (about 2 inches) deep but not more than 6 cm, at a rate of 100-120 per minute, allowing full chest recoil between compressions.

5. The CPR ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for an adult is ____.

  • A. 30 breaths : 2 compressions
  • B. 30 compressions : 2 breaths
  • C. 20 breaths : 2 compressions
  • D. 15 breaths : 1 compression
Answer: B — 30 compressions : 2 breaths
For adult CPR the recommended cycle is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, repeated without long interruptions. Compressions maintain blood flow to the brain and heart, so they make up most of each cycle.

6. A person who is severely allergic to certain triggers should always carry ____.

  • A. Insulin
  • B. Hydroxychloroquine
  • C. Aspirin
  • D. Adrenaline
Answer: D — Adrenaline
Adrenaline (epinephrine), usually in an auto-injector, is the emergency treatment for anaphylaxis. It quickly reverses airway swelling and low blood pressure, so people with severe allergies are advised to carry it at all times.

7. To check for normal breathing in an unconscious casualty, you should look, listen and feel for no more than ____.

  • A. 5 seconds
  • B. 10 seconds
  • C. 15 seconds
  • D. 20 seconds
Answer: B — 10 seconds
After opening the airway, the rescuer looks, listens and feels for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If breathing is absent or abnormal, CPR is started immediately to avoid delay.

8. Fainting can be described as ____.

  • A. A response to fear
  • B. A brief loss of consciousness
  • C. An unexpected collapse with injury
  • D. A sign of flu
Answer: B — A brief loss of consciousness
Fainting (syncope) is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. The casualty usually recovers quickly when laid flat with the legs raised.

9. To encourage people to help others in emergencies, many countries have laws that protect a rescuer acting in good faith from being sued. This is called ____.

  • A. The Good-Will Law
  • B. The First Aid No-Fault Law
  • C. The Good Samaritan Law
  • D. There is no such law
Answer: C — The Good Samaritan Law
Good Samaritan laws protect people who give reasonable emergency assistance in good faith from legal liability, provided they act within their training. India also has Good Samaritan guidelines protecting those who help accident victims.

10. Which of the following heat-related conditions is the most serious?

  • A. Heat stroke
  • B. Heat exhaustion
  • C. Heat cramps
  • D. Heat rash
Answer: A — Heat stroke
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency in which the body's temperature control fails and core temperature rises above about 40 °C, damaging the brain and organs. It needs immediate cooling and medical help.

11. To care for a victim with a sucking chest wound, you should ____.

  • A. Cover the wound completely with a sterile gauze pad
  • B. Cover the wound with a dressing that does not allow air to pass through
  • C. Apply an ice pack to the wound
  • D. Leave the wound uncovered
Answer: B — Cover the wound with a dressing that does not allow air to pass through
A sucking chest wound lets air enter the chest cavity and can collapse the lung. It must be sealed with an airtight (occlusive) dressing, such as plastic film, to stop air being drawn in, and medical help obtained urgently.

12. Which statement about hypothermia is correct?

  • A. It is not life-threatening
  • B. Victims must be heated up as fast as possible
  • C. It is only caused by exposure to temperatures below freezing
  • D. It can be caused by swimming in water below 70 °F (21 °C)
Answer: D — It can be caused by swimming in water below 70 °F (21 °C)
Water removes body heat far faster than air, so prolonged immersion even in water below about 21 °C can cause hypothermia. It is life-threatening and casualties should be rewarmed gradually, not rapidly.

13. You may suspect that a person has been poisoned if he ____.

  • A. Has nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • B. Has chest or abdominal pain or breathing difficulty
  • C. Has burns around the lips, tongue or on the skin
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
Poisoning can cause gastrointestinal upset, pain, breathing difficulty, and burns around the mouth from corrosive substances. Look also for containers, odours or chemicals nearby that point to the cause.

14. Which is NOT a symptom of shock?

  • A. Strong thirst, nausea or vomiting
  • B. Rapid breathing or rapid pulse
  • C. Restlessness or irritability
  • D. Chest or abdominal pain
Answer: D — Chest or abdominal pain
Shock typically shows thirst, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid weak pulse, pale cool skin and restlessness or irritability. Chest or abdominal pain is a sign of the underlying injury or illness, not a symptom of shock itself.

15. Wounds that would require stitches are those that are ____.

  • A. Over an inch long or gaping
  • B. Bleeding from an artery or bleeding uncontrollably
  • C. Human or animal bites
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
Wounds that are long or gaping, bleed heavily or from an artery, or result from bites need medical attention and usually stitches or professional cleaning to control bleeding, close the wound and prevent infection.

16. Elastic bandages are used to ____.

  • A. Control severe bleeding
  • B. Control swelling and support injuries such as sprains or strains
  • C. Allow circulation to a severed limb
  • D. Replace a splint
Answer: B — Control swelling and support injuries such as sprains or strains
Elastic (roller) bandages give gentle compression and support to joints and muscles, reducing swelling in sprains and strains. They must not be applied so tightly that circulation is cut off.

17. Bandages are used ____.

  • A. By applying them directly to a wound to soak up blood
  • B. To hold dressings in place, apply pressure and help control bleeding
  • C. To ease pain only
  • D. For small cuts only
Answer: B — To hold dressings in place, apply pressure and help control bleeding
A dressing is placed directly on the wound; the bandage holds the dressing in place, applies pressure to help control bleeding, and supports or immobilises the injured part.

18. Which is NOT a symptom of a heart attack?

  • A. Chest pain
  • B. Red, hot, dry skin
  • C. Pale or bluish skin colour
  • D. Profuse sweating
Answer: B — Red, hot, dry skin
A heart attack typically causes crushing chest pain, pale or bluish skin, profuse sweating, breathlessness and nausea. Red, hot, dry skin is a sign of heat stroke, not a heart attack.

19. A person who is unconscious and not breathing but has a weak pulse needs ____.

  • A. CPR with chest compressions
  • B. The Heimlich manoeuvre
  • C. Rescue breathing
  • D. Back blows and chest thrusts
Answer: C — Rescue breathing
If the casualty has a pulse but is not breathing, the heart is still beating, so rescue breathing is given to supply oxygen while the pulse is checked regularly. Compressions start only if the pulse is lost.

20. Most injuries are due to situations that ____.

  • A. You have no control over and could not have been prevented
  • B. You have some control over and could have been prevented
  • C. Involve five or more people
  • D. Involve water sports
Answer: B — You have some control over and could have been prevented
Most accidents and injuries result from preventable causes such as unsafe acts, poor housekeeping or ignoring procedures. Good safety practice, risk assessment and the correct use of PPE prevent most injuries on board.

21. Dressings and bandages are used to ____.

  • A. Reduce the victim's pain
  • B. Reduce internal bleeding
  • C. Help control bleeding and prevent infection
  • D. Make it easier to take the victim to hospital
Answer: C — Help control bleeding and prevent infection
A sterile dressing protects the wound from contamination and helps blood clot, while a bandage holds it in place with pressure. Together they help control external bleeding and reduce the risk of infection.

22. Which should be part of your care for a severely bleeding open wound?

  • A. Allow the wound to bleed in order to minimise infection
  • B. Apply direct pressure and elevate the injured area, if no broken bones
  • C. Use a tourniquet first to stop all blood flow
  • D. Wash the wound under running water until bleeding stops
Answer: B — Apply direct pressure and elevate the injured area, if no broken bones
Direct pressure on the wound, with elevation of the limb if there is no fracture, is the first and most effective way to control severe bleeding. A tourniquet is used only for life-threatening limb bleeding that pressure cannot control.

23. Which of the following should be done for a person experiencing a heat-related illness?

  • A. Keep the victim warm
  • B. Force the victim to drink fluids
  • C. Apply cool, wet cloths
  • D. Place the victim in warm water
Answer: C — Apply cool, wet cloths
Heat-related illness is treated by moving the casualty to a cool place, loosening clothing and cooling the body with cool wet cloths and fanning. Conscious casualties may sip cool water, but fluids should never be forced.

24. What is the first thing you should do for someone you suspect has an electrical burn?

  • A. Check for breathing and a pulse
  • B. Check that the electricity has been turned off
  • C. Check for severe bleeding
  • D. Check for shock
Answer: B — Check that the electricity has been turned off
The rescuer must first make sure the casualty is no longer in contact with a live supply, by isolating the power. Otherwise the rescuer can also be electrocuted. Only then are breathing, circulation and burns assessed.

25. What is an open fracture?

  • A. A fracture in which the bone ends can move around
  • B. A fracture in which the skin is broken and the bone may be exposed
  • C. A fracture which causes complications such as a punctured lung
  • D. A fracture in which the bone has bent and split
Answer: B — A fracture in which the skin is broken and the bone may be exposed
An open (compound) fracture is one where there is a wound leading down to the broken bone, so the bone ends may protrude. It carries a high risk of infection and bleeding and needs a sterile dressing before immobilisation.

26. What should you do if a victim has had a body part torn or cut off?

  • A. Wrap the severed part in sterile gauze
  • B. Place the wrapped part in a plastic bag
  • C. Put the bag on ice and send it to hospital with the victim
  • D. All of the above
Answer: D — All of the above
An amputated part should be wrapped in sterile gauze, sealed in a plastic bag and kept cool on ice, not in direct contact with it, then sent with the casualty. This gives the best chance of surgical reattachment.

27. Which artery carries blood from the heart to the brain and is used to check the pulse in an adult?

  • A. Carotid artery
  • B. Femoral artery
  • C. Radial artery
  • D. Brachial artery
Answer: A — Carotid artery
The carotid arteries in the neck carry blood from the heart to the brain. The carotid pulse is checked beside the windpipe in an unconscious adult because it remains palpable when peripheral pulses are too weak.

28. When plastics are burnt in a shipboard incinerator, which toxic gas may be produced?

  • A. Hydrogen cyanide
  • B. Oxygen
  • C. Nitrogen
  • D. Helium
Answer: A — Hydrogen cyanide
Burning plastics such as polyurethane and nylon can release hydrogen cyanide as well as carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride. Cyanide blocks the body's use of oxygen and can be rapidly fatal.

29. Which of the following should NOT be given to a hypothermia casualty?

  • A. Alcohol
  • B. Warm, sweet drinks if conscious
  • C. Dry blankets
  • D. Shelter from the wind
Answer: A — Alcohol
Alcohol dilates the surface blood vessels and increases heat loss from the core, making hypothermia worse. Conscious casualties may be given warm sweet drinks, sheltered and wrapped in dry blankets.

30. Clothing that is stuck to a burn victim's skin should:

  • A. Be ripped off quickly
  • B. Not be pulled off, but cut away around the burn
  • C. Be soaked in oil before removal
  • D. Be removed by scraping
Answer: B — Not be pulled off, but cut away around the burn
Pulling off stuck clothing tears away burnt skin, increasing pain, damage and infection risk. Cut around the stuck area and leave it in place for medical staff to deal with.

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