AAMA Emergency Procedures and First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A diabetic patient presents with shakiness, diaphoresis, confusion, and a blood glucose of 48 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate immediate treatment?
- Administer insulin subcutaneously
- Give 4 oz of orange juice or glucose tablets (Correct answer)
- Have the patient drink water
- Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Give 4 oz of orange juice or glucose tablets
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is treated with fast-acting carbohydrates such as 4 oz of fruit juice or 15 grams of glucose to rapidly raise blood glucose levels.
Question 2: Which degree of burn involves blister formation, is extremely painful, and affects both the epidermis and dermis?
- First-degree (superficial)
- Second-degree (partial thickness) (Correct answer)
- Third-degree (full thickness)
- Fourth-degree (deep tissue)
Correct answer: Second-degree (partial thickness)
Second-degree burns penetrate into the dermis, causing blistering, severe pain, and a wet or weeping appearance due to fluid accumulation.
Question 3: When a patient is experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, the medical assistant should FIRST:
- Restrain the patient to prevent injury
- Insert a padded tongue blade into the mouth
- Clear the area and protect the patient from injury (Correct answer)
- Give the patient water after the seizure begins
Correct answer: Clear the area and protect the patient from injury
Protecting the patient from injury by clearing the surrounding area and cushioning their head is the priority; never restrain a seizing patient or insert anything into the mouth.
Question 4: The universal sign for choking that indicates a patient cannot speak, breathe, or cough effectively is:
- Pointing to the mouth
- Clutching the throat with both hands (Correct answer)
- Coughing loudly and repeatedly
- Gasping with an open mouth
Correct answer: Clutching the throat with both hands
Clutching the throat with one or both hands is the internationally recognized distress signal indicating complete airway obstruction requiring immediate intervention.
Question 5: A fracture in which the broken bone punctures through the skin is classified as a(n):
- Closed fracture
- Hairline fracture
- Open (compound) fracture (Correct answer)
- Greenstick fracture
Correct answer: Open (compound) fracture
An open or compound fracture involves bone ends protruding through the skin, creating a wound and significantly increasing the risk of infection and hemorrhage.
Question 6: RICE therapy is the standard first aid protocol for sprains and strains. What does RICE stand for?
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (Correct answer)
- Rotate, Ice, Compress, Exercise
- Rest, Immobilize, Cool, Elevate
- Relax, Irrigate, Compress, Elevate
Correct answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) reduces pain and swelling by limiting activity, applying cold therapy, applying pressure, and raising the affected limb above heart level.
Question 7: A patient experiencing a shock state with no spinal injury suspected should be positioned in which way?
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees
- Supine with legs elevated 8–12 inches (Correct answer)
- Left lateral recovery position
- Prone with head turned to the side
Correct answer: Supine with legs elevated 8–12 inches
Elevating the legs in the supine position improves venous return to the heart and increases cardiac output, helping to maintain perfusion to vital organs during shock.
AAMA Emergency Procedures and First Aid 2
A diabetic patient presents with shakiness, diaphoresis, confusion, and a blood glucose of 48 mg/dL.
What is the most appropriate immediate treatment?