COE COE Wilderness First Aid & Emergency Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information should be included in a field patient assessment report (SOAP note) written by a COE instructor?
- Only the diagnosis and treatment given
- Subjective complaints, Objective findings, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) (Correct answer)
- Weather conditions and group itinerary only
- Participant's personal contact information only
Correct answer: Subjective complaints, Objective findings, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP)
SOAP notes provide a structured, complete record that guides ongoing care and is essential for medical handoff during evacuation.
Question 2: A participant is stung multiple times by wasps and begins to show hives, throat tightening, and difficulty breathing. What is the IMMEDIATE priority?
- Apply antihistamine cream to sting sites
- Administer epinephrine (EpiPen) and initiate emergency evacuation (Correct answer)
- Have the participant lie down and monitor for 30 minutes
- Give oral antihistamines and continue the activity
Correct answer: Administer epinephrine (EpiPen) and initiate emergency evacuation
Throat tightening and respiratory distress indicate anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate epinephrine and evacuation.
Question 3: In the wilderness, a participant develops severe diarrhea and vomiting over 12 hours. What is the primary management concern?
- Dietary restriction
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (Correct answer)
- Psychological distress
- Sunburn exacerbation
Correct answer: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea rapidly cause dehydration and electrolyte loss, which can become dangerous without oral rehydration or evacuation.
Question 4: What is the correct field treatment for a closed (non-displaced) ankle fracture when evacuation is delayed?
- Have the participant walk on it to maintain mobility
- Splint the ankle in a position of comfort, elevate, and monitor circulation (Correct answer)
- Apply heat to reduce swelling
- Wrap tightly with an elastic bandage and continue hiking
Correct answer: Splint the ankle in a position of comfort, elevate, and monitor circulation
Splinting immobilizes the injury to prevent further damage, and circulation checks ensure the splint isn't too tight.
Question 5: A COE program operates in bear country. Which emergency response protocol addresses a bear encounter that becomes an attack?
- Run in a zigzag pattern to confuse the bear
- For grizzly attacks, play dead; for black bear attacks, fight back aggressively (Correct answer)
- Climb the nearest tree immediately
- Use loud music to deter the bear before physical contact
Correct answer: For grizzly attacks, play dead; for black bear attacks, fight back aggressively
Wildlife agencies recommend playing dead (face down, protecting neck) for defensive grizzly attacks while actively fighting black bear attacks.
Question 6: What is the 'rule of nines' used for in wilderness first aid?
- Calculating hydration needs per day
- Estimating the percentage of body surface area affected by burns (Correct answer)
- Measuring altitude acclimatization rates
- Determining drug dosages for field medications
Correct answer: Estimating the percentage of body surface area affected by burns
The rule of nines divides the body into regions each representing approximately 9% of body surface area to estimate burn severity.
COE COE Wilderness First Aid & Emergency Response 2
What information should be included in a field patient assessment report (SOAP note) written by a COE instructor?