First Aid Sudden Illness and Allergies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A person at a picnic is stung by a bee and quickly develops swelling of the face and tongue, and is having difficulty breathing. They have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately assist the person with using their epinephrine auto-injector.

Answer

The signs described (facial swelling, difficulty breathing) indicate anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. The priority is to administer epinephrine immediately using the person's prescribed auto-injector, as this can reverse the effects of the reaction. Calling 911 is also critical, but administering the life-saving medication should not be delayed.

Question 2

Which of the following acronyms is most commonly used by the public to help recognize the major signs and symptoms of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)

Answer

The FAST acronym is a widely used tool to quickly recognize the major signs of a stroke. It stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. RICE is for musculoskeletal injuries, SAMPLE is for gathering a person's history, and AED is a medical device.

Question 3

You witness an individual suddenly collapse and begin to have a convulsive seizure, with their body jerking uncontrollably. What is the most appropriate action to take while the seizure is occurring?

Accepted Answer

Move nearby furniture and objects away to protect them from injury.

Answer

During a convulsive seizure, the primary goal is to protect the person from injury by clearing the area of hard or sharp objects. You should never restrain the person or put anything in their mouth, as this can cause further harm like broken teeth or jaw injuries. Let the seizure run its course and call for emergency medical help if it lasts longer than 5 minutes.

Question 4

Which of the following is an appropriate first aid treatment for a person who is conscious, able to swallow, and showing signs of a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) emergency, such as shakiness and confusion?

Accepted Answer

Provide them with a form of sugar, such as juice or non-diet soda.

Answer

A person with low blood sugar needs to consume sugar to raise their glucose levels quickly. Giving them 15-20 grams of sugar in the form of juice, glucose tablets, or regular soda is the standard treatment. Insulin would lower their blood sugar further, which is dangerous. Water has no sugar, and exercise would use up more sugar. This care is only for a conscious person who can safely swallow.

Question 5

A person suddenly feels dizzy and becomes pale before fainting. After they have fainted but are breathing normally, what is the best position to place them in while they recover, assuming no other injuries?

Accepted Answer

Lying on their back with their legs elevated 8-12 inches.

Answer

Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. Lying the person flat on their back and elevating their legs helps restore blood flow to the brain, aiding recovery. The recovery position is used if you must leave the person or if they are vomiting. Sitting them up or walking them around could cause them to faint again.

First Aid Practice Test

First Aid Practice Test

First Aid Sudden Illness and Allergies Questions and Answers