WFR - Wilderness First Responder Environmental Emergencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A member of your group on a multi-day backpacking trip at 11,000 ft begins to show signs of ataxia, confusion, and a severe headache.
These symptoms are most indicative of which altitude-related illness?

Accepted Answer

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

Answer

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Answer

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Answer

Dehydration

Question 2

Which of the following is the most critical and defining sign that differentiates heat stroke from heat exhaustion?

Accepted Answer

Altered mental status

Answer

Heavy sweating

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

A rapid, weak pulse

Question 3

You are leading a group when a lightning storm appears suddenly. A strike occurs nearby, and you find two patients. Patient A is awake and screaming in pain with an obvious burn on their leg. Patient B is unresponsive and appears apneic. According to wilderness medicine triage principles for lightning strikes, what is your immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Immediately beginning rescue breathing and CPR on Patient B.

Answer

Treating Patient A's painful burn to prevent infection.

Answer

Moving both patients to a safer location before providing care.

Answer

Performing a detailed secondary assessment on Patient A to find all injuries.

Question 4

A trail runner in a long-distance race is disoriented, nauseous, and has a severe headache after drinking large amounts of water at every aid station. They have clear urine and have not been eating salty snacks. What is the most likely diagnosis, and what is the appropriate field treatment?

Accepted Answer

Exertional Hyponatremia; restrict fluids and give salty foods.

Answer

Severe Dehydration; give more water and electrolytes immediately.

Answer

Heat Stroke; immediately and aggressively cool the patient.

Answer

Hypoglycemia; give a large amount of sugar immediately.

Question 5

When treating a patient for severe hypothermia in a wilderness setting, which action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Handle the patient gently and place them in a hypothermia wrap with heat packs on the core.

Answer

Encourage the patient to walk around to generate heat.

Answer

Provide hot liquids like coffee or tea to drink.

Answer

Rub the patient's extremities vigorously to restore circulation.

Question 6

A hiker is bitten by a rattlesnake on the lower leg. Which of the following is an appropriate first aid treatment while awaiting evacuation?

Accepted Answer

Removing constricting items like rings and watches and keeping the patient calm.

Answer

Applying a tourniquet above the bite to stop venom spread.

Answer

Keeping the affected limb below the level of the heart.

Answer

Cutting the wound and attempting to suck out the venom.

A member of your group on a multi-day backpacking trip at 11,000 ft begins to show signs of ataxia, confusion, and a severe headache.These symptoms are most indicative of which altitude-related illness?

A member of your group on a multi-day backpacking trip at 11,000 ft begins to show signs of ataxia, confusion, and a severe headache.
These symptoms are most indicative of which altitude-related illness?