First Aid Bleeding, Wounds, and Shock 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child falls and has a scalp laceration bleeding heavily. You know scalp wounds bleed profusely. What is your first action?
- Assume it is not serious because scalp wounds look worse than they are
- Apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth (Correct answer)
- Apply ice directly to the open wound
- Wait to see if the bleeding stops on its own
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth
Apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth to control scalp bleeding; scalp wounds bleed heavily due to rich vascularization but respond well to pressure.
Question 2: A victim with a suspected spinal injury is in shock. How should you position them?
- Elevate legs to 12 inches as usual
- Keep them flat and still; move only if in immediate danger (Correct answer)
- Sit them upright to help breathing
- Roll them to the recovery position
Correct answer: Keep them flat and still; move only if in immediate danger
When spinal injury is suspected, keep the victim flat and minimize movement to avoid spinal cord damage, even if shock positioning is otherwise indicated.
Question 3: Anaphylactic shock differs from hypovolemic shock in that anaphylactic shock is caused by:
- Massive blood loss from trauma
- A severe allergic reaction causing vasodilation and fluid leakage (Correct answer)
- Heart failure reducing cardiac output
- Severe infection overwhelming the body's defenses
Correct answer: A severe allergic reaction causing vasodilation and fluid leakage
Anaphylactic shock is triggered by a severe allergic reaction that causes widespread vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, causing a drop in blood pressure.
Question 4: Which wound type has the highest risk of becoming infected due to bacterial contamination from a human or animal source?
- Incision from a sterile surgical blade
- Abrasion from pavement
- Bite wound (Correct answer)
- Laceration from clean broken glass
Correct answer: Bite wound
Bite wounds carry a very high infection risk because human and animal mouths harbor numerous bacteria, including pathogens like Pasteurella and MRSA.
Question 5: You are treating an open chest wound (sucking chest wound). What specialized first aid dressing is recommended?
- Standard sterile gauze pressed firmly over the wound
- A vented chest seal or three-sided occlusive dressing (Correct answer)
- A fully sealed airtight bandage on all four sides
- An ice pack held firmly over the wound
Correct answer: A vented chest seal or three-sided occlusive dressing
A vented (three-sided) chest seal or commercial chest seal allows air to escape on exhalation while preventing air from entering, reducing the risk of tension pneumothorax.
Question 6: After controlling severe external bleeding, you should monitor for re-bleeding by:
- Removing the dressing every 5 minutes to check the wound
- Watching for blood soaking through dressings and checking the victim's vital signs (Correct answer)
- Asking the victim if they feel any pain
- Applying a new tourniquet above the original one
Correct answer: Watching for blood soaking through dressings and checking the victim's vital signs
Continuously monitor dressings for blood saturation and check the victim's pulse and skin color to detect signs of ongoing or recurrent bleeding.
Question 7: Which statement about using a commercial tourniquet is correct?
- It should be loosened briefly every 15 minutes to restore circulation
- Once properly applied, it should not be loosened until a medical professional evaluates the victim (Correct answer)
- It can be applied directly over clothing on any body part
- It should only be used if the wound is spurting blood for more than 5 minutes
Correct answer: Once properly applied, it should not be loosened until a medical professional evaluates the victim
A tourniquet should never be loosened by a first aider once applied; only trained medical personnel should make that decision after evaluating the victim.
First Aid Bleeding, Wounds, and Shock 4
A child falls and has a scalp laceration bleeding heavily.
You know scalp wounds bleed profusely.
What is your first action?