First Aid Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym 'SAMPLE' stand for in patient assessment?
- Signs, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events
- Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Signs, Airway, Medications, Pain, Last oral intake, Events
- Symptoms, Assessment, Medications, Pertinent history, Location, Events
Correct answer: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events
SAMPLE is a mnemonic for gathering a patient history: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the emergency.
Question 2: When should a first aider transfer care to emergency medical services (EMS)?
- Only when the patient requests it
- As soon as EMS personnel arrive on scene (Correct answer)
- Only after completing all first aid interventions
- When the patient is stable and no longer needs help
Correct answer: As soon as EMS personnel arrive on scene
A first aider should hand off care to EMS as soon as they arrive, providing a clear report of what happened and what interventions were performed.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the 'primary survey' in first aid?
- To gather the patient's medical history
- To identify and treat immediate life threats (Correct answer)
- To document injuries for insurance purposes
- To determine the cause of the emergency
Correct answer: To identify and treat immediate life threats
The primary survey rapidly identifies life-threatening conditions — such as airway obstruction, severe bleeding, or absent breathing — that require immediate intervention.
Question 4: Which principle guides the order of first aid priorities?
- Treat the most painful injury first
- Address life-threatening conditions before minor ones (Correct answer)
- Stabilize fractures before checking breathing
- Control bleeding before opening the airway
Correct answer: Address life-threatening conditions before minor ones
First aid follows a priority order: ensure scene safety, then address airway, breathing, circulation, and disability before treating less critical injuries.
Question 5: A bystander refuses to help an injured stranger because they fear legal consequences. Which law generally protects lay rescuers in most US states?
- The Patient Rights Act
- The Good Samaritan Law (Correct answer)
- The Emergency Response Exemption
- The Bystander Liability Waiver
Correct answer: The Good Samaritan Law
Good Samaritan Laws protect volunteer rescuers from civil liability when they act in good faith and without gross negligence during an emergency.
Question 6: What does 'duty to act' mean in the context of first aid?
- Every bystander is legally required to provide first aid
- Certain professionals are legally obligated to provide care within their scope (Correct answer)
- Anyone who starts first aid must continue until the patient recovers
- First aiders must act even when the scene is unsafe
Correct answer: Certain professionals are legally obligated to provide care within their scope
Duty to act is a legal obligation held by certain individuals (e.g., lifeguards, EMTs) to provide care because of their role or prior relationship with the victim.
Question 7: Which statement best describes 'consent' in first aid?
- Consent is never needed in an emergency
- Implied consent applies to unconscious adults who cannot refuse care (Correct answer)
- You must always obtain written consent before helping
- Minors can always consent to their own emergency care
Correct answer: Implied consent applies to unconscious adults who cannot refuse care
Implied consent assumes an unconscious or incapacitated adult would agree to life-saving care if they were able to do so.
First Aid Principles 2
What does the acronym 'SAMPLE' stand for in patient assessment?