Firefighter Emergency Medical Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You arrive at a scene where an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally. What should you do first after confirming the scene is safe?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds and activate EMS (Correct answer)
- Give two rescue breaths
- Place the patient in the recovery position
Correct answer: Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds and activate EMS
Check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds while activating EMS, then begin CPR if no pulse is found.
Question 2: What is the correct compression rate for adult CPR?
- 60 to 80 per minute
- 80 to 100 per minute
- 100 to 120 per minute (Correct answer)
- 120 to 140 per minute
Correct answer: 100 to 120 per minute
High-quality CPR uses a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
Question 3: An AED advises 'no shock advised' but the patient remains pulseless. What should you do?
- Remove the AED and wait for paramedics
- Resume CPR immediately, starting with compressions (Correct answer)
- Give five rescue breaths only
- Reposition the pads and re-analyze
Correct answer: Resume CPR immediately, starting with compressions
If no shock is advised and the patient is pulseless, resume CPR beginning with chest compressions.
Question 4: What is the recommended compression depth for an average adult during CPR?
- At least 1 inch
- At least 1.5 inches
- At least 2 inches (Correct answer)
- At least 3 inches
Correct answer: At least 2 inches
Adult compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but no more than 2.4 inches.
Question 5: When using a bag-valve-mask on an apneic adult with a pulse, how often should you deliver a breath?
- Every 2 to 3 seconds
- Every 5 to 6 seconds (Correct answer)
- Every 10 seconds
- Every 15 seconds
Correct answer: Every 5 to 6 seconds
Rescue breathing for an adult with a pulse is one breath every 5 to 6 seconds.
Question 6: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for one-rescuer adult CPR?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 5:1
- 10:1
Correct answer: 30:2
Single-rescuer adult CPR uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
Question 7: Why is minimizing interruptions during chest compressions important?
- It conserves the rescuer's energy
- It maintains coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure (Correct answer)
- It prevents rib fractures
- It allows the AED to charge faster
Correct answer: It maintains coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure
Pauses cause perfusion pressure to drop quickly, reducing blood flow to the heart and brain.
Firefighter Emergency Medical Care 2
You arrive at a scene where an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
What should you do first after confirming the scene is safe?