PCA Emergency Response & First Aid

Question 1

When a client suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, what is the FIRST action a PCA should take?

Accepted Answer

Call 911 (or have someone else call) and begin CPR

Answer

Reposition the client and wait for a response

Answer

Administer oxygen from a bedside tank

Answer

Contact the supervising nurse before doing anything

Question 2

A PCA notices a client has a small superficial cut that is bleeding. What is the appropriate first-aid response?

Accepted Answer

Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gloved hand

Answer

Apply a tourniquet above the wound immediately

Answer

Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and leave it open

Answer

Call 911 before touching the wound

Question 3

A client tells the PCA they are experiencing crushing chest pain radiating to their left arm. What should the PCA do?

Accepted Answer

Call 911 immediately and keep the client calm and still

Answer

Give the client water and have them rest

Answer

Ask the client to walk to the car to drive to the hospital

Answer

Administer the client's nitroglycerin without consulting anyone

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct hand placement for adult CPR chest compressions?

Accepted Answer

Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum

Answer

On the left side of the chest over the heart

Answer

On the upper third of the sternum near the collarbone

Answer

On the abdomen just below the ribcage

Question 5

A client begins to choke and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. What should the PCA do?

Accepted Answer

Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) immediately

Answer

Encourage the client to drink water to dislodge the object

Answer

Perform back blows only and wait to see if it clears

Answer

Call 911 and take no further action until help arrives

Question 6

A client has fallen and is complaining of severe hip pain with their leg appearing shortened and rotated. What should the PCA do?

Accepted Answer

Keep the client still and call 911; do not attempt to move the client

Answer

Gently assist the client back to bed to check for bruising

Answer

Apply ice and wait 30 minutes to see if pain improves

Answer

Perform a range-of-motion assessment of the hip

Question 7

When should a PCA use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)?

Accepted Answer

When a client is in cardiac arrest and an AED is available

Answer

Whenever a client loses consciousness for any reason

Answer

Only after a physician gives verbal authorization

Answer

When a client has an irregular heartbeat but is still conscious