WFR Eye, Ear, Nose, and Dental Emergencies

Question 1

A glacier traveler who did not wear sunglasses has severe eye pain, a gritty feeling, and tearing about 8 hours after exposure. What is the likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Snow blindness (UV photokeratitis)

Answer

Photokeratitis is a sunburn of the cornea caused by UV light, and symptoms appear several hours after exposure. Treat with cool compresses, darkness or eye patching, and pain relief. It usually heals within 24 to 72 hours.

Question 2

A stick is impaled in a patient's eye. What is the correct field management?

Accepted Answer

Stabilize the object, protect the eye with a cup, cover both eyes, and evacuate

Answer

Never remove an object impaled in the eye. Stabilize it, shield the eye without putting pressure on it, and cover both eyes to reduce eye movement, because the eyes move together. Then evacuate.

Question 3

What is the best initial treatment for an anterior nosebleed?

Accepted Answer

Sit up, lean forward, and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10–15 minutes

Answer

Leaning forward stops blood from running down the throat. Steady pressure on the soft, compressible part of the nose controls most anterior nosebleeds.

Question 4

A permanent tooth is completely knocked out. What gives it the best chance of being saved?

Accepted Answer

Hold it by the crown, rinse briefly, and reimplant it, or store it in milk or saline

Answer

The root ligament cells need to stay alive. Handle the tooth only by the crown, don't scrub it, and reimplant it immediately if possible. Otherwise, keep it moist in milk, saline, or the patient's cheek. Success drops sharply after 30 to 60 minutes.

Question 5

A patient has a toothache with facial swelling spreading toward the eye, fever, and trouble swallowing. What is the right decision?

Accepted Answer

Urgent evacuation for a spreading dental infection

Answer

Spreading facial swelling, fever, and trouble swallowing show the abscess is spreading. It can threaten the airway or reach the brain, so the patient needs antibiotics and urgent evacuation.

WFR - Wilderness First Responder Practice Test

WFR - Wilderness First Responder Practice Test

WFR Eye, Ear, Nose, and Dental Emergencies