Military First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A casualty has a sucking chest wound. After sealing it with an occlusive dressing, the casualty's breathing worsens and tension pneumothorax is suspected. What should you do?
- Apply a second occlusive dressing over the first
- Burp or vent the dressing by lifting one corner (Correct answer)
- Remove the dressing completely and leave the wound open
- Perform needle decompression on the unaffected side
Correct answer: Burp or vent the dressing by lifting one corner
Venting the dressing by lifting one corner releases trapped air and relieves tension pneumothorax while maintaining the seal.
Question 2: What is the correct tourniquet placement for a wound in the mid-thigh?
- Directly over the wound
- 2-3 inches above the wound (Correct answer)
- At the groin crease as high as possible
- 2-3 inches below the wound
Correct answer: 2-3 inches above the wound
A tourniquet should be placed 2-3 inches proximal (above) the wound to occlude blood flow effectively.
Question 3: Which of the following is a sign of severe hypovolemic shock in a combat casualty?
- Warm, flushed skin with a bounding pulse
- Absent radial pulse with altered mental status (Correct answer)
- Normal blood pressure with rapid breathing
- Bradycardia with elevated blood pressure
Correct answer: Absent radial pulse with altered mental status
An absent radial pulse combined with altered mental status indicates severe blood loss and decompensated shock.
Question 4: A casualty is unconscious and not breathing normally. After opening the airway, you find no breathing. What is the FIRST action per TCCC guidelines?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and reassess (Correct answer)
- Perform two rescue breaths
- Position in the recovery position and monitor
Correct answer: Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and reassess
In TCCC, a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is the first airway adjunct used to maintain an open airway in an unconscious casualty.
Question 5: When treating a casualty for hypothermia in the field, which action is MOST important?
- Rub the extremities vigorously to generate heat
- Remove all wet clothing and insulate from the ground (Correct answer)
- Give the casualty warm liquids if unconscious
- Apply direct heat sources directly to the skin
Correct answer: Remove all wet clothing and insulate from the ground
Removing wet clothing and insulating from cold surfaces prevents further heat loss, which is the priority in field hypothermia management.
Question 6: A fellow soldier has a suspected spinal injury after a vehicle rollover. How should you move them if they are in immediate danger?
- Do not move them under any circumstances
- Use a log roll technique with team assistance
- Drag them by the collar using the emergency drag technique (Correct answer)
- Carry them in the fireman's carry to move quickly
Correct answer: Drag them by the collar using the emergency drag technique
When immediate danger exists, use the emergency drag (collar drag) to move the casualty as a last resort while minimizing spinal movement.
Question 7: What does the 'M' stand for in the MARCH acronym used in TCCC?
- Monitor
- Massive hemorrhage (Correct answer)
- Medical assessment
- Movement
Correct answer: Massive hemorrhage
In TCCC MARCH stands for Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, and Hypothermia/Hypothermia prevention.
Military First Aid 2
A casualty has a sucking chest wound.
After sealing it with an occlusive dressing, the casualty's breathing worsens and tension pneumothorax is suspected.
What should you do?