CPA Health Assessment & First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker is exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and collapses. What is your FIRST action before providing aid?
- Begin CPR immediately
- Drag the victim out without PPE
- Don appropriate respiratory protection before entering the area (Correct answer)
- Administer oxygen from a nearby cylinder
Correct answer: Don appropriate respiratory protection before entering the area
Rescuers must never enter an H2S atmosphere without proper SCBA or supplied-air respirator, or they risk becoming victims themselves.
Question 2: Which symptom is the EARLIEST warning sign of H2S overexposure at low concentrations?
- Sudden unconsciousness
- Olfactory fatigue (loss of smell) (Correct answer)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin blisters
Correct answer: Olfactory fatigue (loss of smell)
H2S quickly deadens the sense of smell, so a worker may no longer detect the gas while still being exposed to dangerous levels.
Question 3: A petroleum worker receives a chemical splash of crude oil distillate to the eyes. The correct first aid is to:
- Apply eye drops and cover with a patch
- Flush the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Wipe the eyes gently with a dry cloth
- Apply neutralizing solution immediately
Correct answer: Flush the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes
Continuous flushing with water for a minimum of 15 minutes dilutes and removes chemical contaminants from the eyes.
Question 4: When treating a worker with a chemical burn from a petroleum solvent on the skin, you should:
- Apply butter or oil to soothe the burn
- Remove contaminated clothing and flush the area with water for 15–20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply a tight bandage to limit chemical spread
- Rub the area dry to remove the solvent quickly
Correct answer: Remove contaminated clothing and flush the area with water for 15–20 minutes
Removing clothing and flushing with water dilutes and washes away the chemical, limiting tissue damage.
Question 5: A coworker inhales hydrocarbon vapors and becomes dizzy and confused. After calling for help, you should:
- Give the victim food and water to absorb the vapors
- Move the victim to fresh air and monitor breathing (Correct answer)
- Induce vomiting to clear ingested hydrocarbons
- Have the victim walk around to improve circulation
Correct answer: Move the victim to fresh air and monitor breathing
Fresh air removes the victim from the exposure source and allows the body to begin clearing inhaled vapors while you monitor for deterioration.
Question 6: What does the acronym SAMPLE stand for in patient assessment?
- Signs, Airway, Medications, Pulse, Level of consciousness, Exposure
- Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Scene safety, Airway, Movement, Pain, Level of consciousness, Evaluation
- Signs, Assessment, Medical history, Pulse, Last aid given, Emergency contact
Correct answer: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events
SAMPLE is a first aid history-taking tool: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to illness/injury.
Question 7: During a site emergency, a victim's skin appears cherry-red and they are confused. These signs most likely indicate:
- Severe dehydration
- Carbon monoxide poisoning (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen sulfide exposure
- Allergic reaction to petroleum
Correct answer: Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cherry-red skin is a classic, though not always present, sign of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning because CO binds hemoglobin and prevents oxygen delivery.
CPA Health Assessment & First Aid 2
A worker is exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and collapses.
What is your FIRST action before providing aid?