SIA CP Medical First Aid for Close Protection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct treatment for a penetrating eye injury in a CP first aid context?
- Cover both eyes loosely without applying pressure to the injured eye and evacuate immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply direct pressure to the eye
- Remove any visible foreign object
- Cover only the injured eye
Correct answer: Cover both eyes loosely without applying pressure to the injured eye and evacuate immediately
Applying pressure to a penetrating eye injury can cause further damage by forcing vitreous humour out; both eyes are covered (as they move together) without pressure and the casualty is evacuated urgently.
Question 2: What is 'junctional haemorrhage' and what makes it difficult to treat?
- Bleeding from areas where limbs meet the torso (groin, armpit, neck); tourniquets cannot be applied and wound packing is essential (Correct answer)
- Bleeding from a joint such as a knee or elbow
- Any bleeding wound that is difficult to reach
- Bleeding that occurs during physical intervention
Correct answer: Bleeding from areas where limbs meet the torso (groin, armpit, neck); tourniquets cannot be applied and wound packing is essential
Junctional areas cannot be addressed with a limb tourniquet; haemostatic gauze and firm manual pressure are the primary interventions; junctional tourniquets such as the JETT or SAM JT may be used in advanced care.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'field dressing' in first aid?
- To apply pressure to a wound to control bleeding and protect it from contamination (Correct answer)
- To immobilise a fractured limb
- To provide a sterile environment for surgery
- To cover burns on large body surface areas
Correct answer: To apply pressure to a wound to control bleeding and protect it from contamination
A field dressing is a sterile pad with bandage attached; it applies direct pressure to a wound to control bleeding while protecting it from contamination until definitive care is reached.
Question 4: What is 'secondary survey' in a first aid context?
- A head-to-toe assessment conducted after life threats are controlled to identify all injuries (Correct answer)
- The initial life-threat assessment
- A psychological assessment of a trauma patient
- An assessment conducted by a second first aider
Correct answer: A head-to-toe assessment conducted after life threats are controlled to identify all injuries
After addressing immediate life threats in the primary survey, the secondary survey systematically examines the whole body to find any additional injuries that may have been missed.
Question 5: What is the sign of a tension pneumothorax that distinguishes it from simple pneumothorax?
- Tracheal deviation, raised jugular veins, absent breath sounds and deteriorating blood pressure — signs of mediastinal shift (Correct answer)
- Blood in the sputum
- Diffuse chest pain without breathing difficulty
- Slow onset of symptoms over hours
Correct answer: Tracheal deviation, raised jugular veins, absent breath sounds and deteriorating blood pressure — signs of mediastinal shift
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening pressure build-up that shifts the mediastinum (heart and major vessels); tracheal deviation and haemodynamic deterioration indicate this is occurring and require immediate needle decompression.
Question 6: What is the correct first aid for a suspected fractured femur?
- Immobilise with a traction splint if available, keep the casualty warm and warm to prevent shock and call for urgent evacuation (Correct answer)
- Apply a tourniquet immediately
- Encourage the casualty to walk to the nearest vehicle
- Ice the area and advise rest
Correct answer: Immobilise with a traction splint if available, keep the casualty warm and warm to prevent shock and call for urgent evacuation
A fractured femur can involve 1–2 litres of internal bleeding; traction splint reduces pain and bleeding, warmth prevents hypothermia and urgent evacuation to surgery is required.
SIA CP Medical First Aid for Close Protection 4
What is the correct treatment for a penetrating eye injury in a CP first aid context?