CCO First Aid and Emergency Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An inmate in the recreation yard collapses on a hot summer day with hot, dry skin, confusion, and a temperature of 104°F. This presentation indicates:
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke (Correct answer)
- Febrile seizure
Correct answer: Heat stroke
Hot dry skin, high core temperature above 103°F, and altered mental status are hallmarks of life-threatening heat stroke.
Question 2: When applying a tourniquet for severe limb bleeding, how far above the wound should it be placed?
- Directly over the wound
- 2–3 inches above the wound (Correct answer)
- At least 6 inches above the wound
- At the midpoint of the limb regardless of wound location
Correct answer: 2–3 inches above the wound
Tourniquets should be placed 2–3 inches proximal to the wound on the limb to occlude arterial blood flow.
Question 3: An inmate with a known seizure disorder has a tonic-clonic seizure. After it stops, they remain unconscious with normal breathing. The best position is:
- Supine with a pillow under the head
- Recovery (lateral) position to protect the airway (Correct answer)
- Seated upright to maintain consciousness
- Prone to prevent choking
Correct answer: Recovery (lateral) position to protect the airway
The recovery (lateral decubitus) position prevents aspiration of secretions or vomit during the postictal state.
Question 4: A corrections officer finds an inmate who ingested a caustic cleaning chemical. The MOST appropriate immediate action is to:
- Induce vomiting to clear the substance
- Administer milk to neutralize the chemical
- Call Poison Control and EMS; do not induce vomiting (Correct answer)
- Give the inmate large quantities of water to dilute the chemical
Correct answer: Call Poison Control and EMS; do not induce vomiting
Inducing vomiting after caustic ingestion causes additional burn injury; contact Poison Control and EMS immediately.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the recovery position for an unconscious inmate who is breathing?
- To improve blood flow to the brain
- To keep the airway open and prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- To reduce pain from injuries
- To slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure
Correct answer: To keep the airway open and prevent aspiration
The recovery position uses gravity to keep the airway patent and allows fluids to drain away from the airway.
Question 6: An inmate sustains a possible spinal injury after falling from a bunk. Until EMS arrives, the officer should:
- Have the inmate walk to the medical unit to assess mobility
- Manually stabilize the head and neck and keep the inmate still (Correct answer)
- Place the inmate in the recovery position immediately
- Encourage the inmate to sit up to maintain airway patency
Correct answer: Manually stabilize the head and neck and keep the inmate still
Suspected spinal injuries require manual in-line stabilization and minimal movement to prevent secondary cord damage.
Question 7: During an emergency, an officer wearing nitrile gloves completes CPR on a bleeding inmate. After handing off to medical staff, the officer should:
- Reuse the gloves on the next patient to conserve supplies
- Remove gloves by pulling from the fingertips, turning them inside out (Correct answer)
- Wash gloves with soap and water before disposal
- Leave gloves on until fully decontaminated by medical staff
Correct answer: Remove gloves by pulling from the fingertips, turning them inside out
Gloves must be removed by inverting them (fingertip technique) to avoid contact with contaminated outer surfaces.
CCO First Aid and Emergency Response 3
An inmate in the recreation yard collapses on a hot summer day with hot, dry skin, confusion, and a temperature of 104°F.
This presentation indicates: