SHS Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During heat stroke treatment in an industrial setting, which cooling method is most effective?
- Fan the victim with ambient-temperature air
- Apply cool wet cloths to neck only
- Immerse in ice-water or apply ice packs to armpits, groin, and neck (Correct answer)
- Give cold fluids orally immediately
Correct answer: Immerse in ice-water or apply ice packs to armpits, groin, and neck
Aggressive cooling via ice-water immersion or ice packs at high-heat transfer points (armpits, groin, neck) is the most effective method to rapidly reduce core temperature in heat stroke.
Question 2: Which inhaled toxic substance requires specific antidote administration with amyl nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?
- Carbon monoxide
- Hydrogen cyanide (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Ammonia
Correct answer: Hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide poisoning is treated with the cyanide antidote kit containing amyl nitrite (or hydroxocobalamin) and sodium thiosulfate.
Question 3: A rescuer finds a worker collapsed in a confined space suspected to contain low oxygen. What is the FIRST action?
- Enter immediately and drag the victim out
- Call for help and do NOT enter without proper PPE and SCBA (Correct answer)
- Ventilate the space for 10 seconds then enter
- Lower a rope and attempt to pull the victim out from outside
Correct answer: Call for help and do NOT enter without proper PPE and SCBA
The majority of confined space fatalities involve would-be rescuers; do not enter without proper PPE, SCBA, and trained backup.
Question 4: When a victim has an impaled object in the chest, the correct first aid treatment is to:
- Remove the object quickly to allow wound sealing
- Stabilize the object in place and do not remove it (Correct answer)
- Pack gauze around and under the object then remove it
- Apply direct pressure directly on the object
Correct answer: Stabilize the object in place and do not remove it
Impaled objects should never be removed in the field; stabilize them in place to prevent further injury and uncontrolled bleeding.
Question 5: Which position is recommended for a conscious choking victim in whom back blows fail to dislodge the obstruction?
- Trendelenburg (legs elevated)
- Finger sweeps regardless of visibility
- Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) (Correct answer)
- Lay flat and perform CPR
Correct answer: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
After failed back blows, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on a conscious adult choking victim.
Question 6: For a suspected spinal injury victim who must be moved due to imminent danger, what technique should be used?
- Cradle carry with one rescuer
- Inline stabilization drag along the body's long axis (Correct answer)
- Fireman's carry over the shoulder
- Pivot the victim at the waist to a sitting position first
Correct answer: Inline stabilization drag along the body's long axis
When movement is unavoidable, inline stabilization drag (keeping the spine aligned along the long axis) minimizes spinal movement and risk of cord injury.
Question 7: Which of the following is a contraindication for using a tourniquet?
- Amputation of a limb
- Arterial bleeding from a leg laceration
- Bleeding from the torso or junctional areas (Correct answer)
- Uncontrolled bleeding not responding to direct pressure
Correct answer: Bleeding from the torso or junctional areas
Tourniquets cannot be applied to junctional or truncal wounds; junctional hemorrhage control devices or wound packing are used instead.
SHS Treatment Protocols & Procedures 3
During heat stroke treatment in an industrial setting, which cooling method is most effective?