NPLQ - National Pool Lifeguard Qualification First Aid and Casualty Care Questions and Answers

Question 1

A swimmer exits the water and complains of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness in their chest.
They use their prescribed inhaler, but their symptoms do not improve.
What is the most appropriate next step for the lifeguard to take?

Accepted Answer

Call for an ambulance as this could be a severe asthma attack.

Answer

Encourage the casualty to take a second dose from their inhaler immediately.

Answer

Advise the casualty to sit in a steamy room to help ease their breathing.

Answer

Tell the casualty to take slow, deep breaths and wait for 10 minutes to see if symptoms subside.

Question 2

A casualty has a severe bleeding wound on their forearm. You have applied direct pressure with a sterile dressing, but the blood is soaking through. What should you do next?

Accepted Answer

Apply a second dressing on top of the first and maintain pressure.

Answer

Remove the soaked dressing and apply a new one.

Answer

Immediately apply a tourniquet above the wound.

Answer

Rinse the wound with pool water to clean it before applying more pressure.

Question 3

Which of the following is the primary first aid treatment for a casualty who is showing signs of shock, such as pale, cold, clammy skin and a rapid, weak pulse?

Accepted Answer

Lay them down, and if possible, elevate their legs.

Answer

Give them a warm, sweet drink to raise their blood sugar.

Answer

Help them to walk around slowly to improve circulation.

Answer

Sit them upright and tilt their head forward.

Question 4

You are treating a casualty who has sustained a minor cut to their foot on the poolside. After cleaning the wound and applying a plaster, what is the most important piece of aftercare advice to give them?

Accepted Answer

To check the wound regularly for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling.

Answer

To keep the wound completely dry for the next 48 hours.

Answer

To expose the cut to direct sunlight to help it heal faster.

Answer

To apply a tight bandage over the plaster to stop it from falling off.

Question 5

A person in the water is having a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure. What is the lifeguard's immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Support the casualty's head to keep their face and airway clear of the water.

Answer

Restrain the casualty's limbs to prevent injury.

Answer

Remove the casualty from the water as quickly as possible.

Answer

Place a bite block in their mouth to prevent them from swallowing their tongue.

Question 6

Which of the following conditions involves a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention?

Accepted Answer

Anaphylaxis

Answer

Angina

Answer

Hypoglycaemia

Answer

Dehydration

A swimmer exits the water and complains of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness in their chest.They use their prescribed inhaler, but their symptoms do not improve.What is the most appropriate next step for the lifeguard to take?

A swimmer exits the water and complains of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness in their chest.
They use their prescribed inhaler, but their symptoms do not improve.
What is the most appropriate next step for the lifeguard to take?