First Aid Certification Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: While providing care to a conscious infant who is choking, they suddenly become unresponsive. What is your next step?

Carefully lower the infant to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR, starting with chest compressions. (Correct answer)
Immediately call 911 and wait for EMS to arrive.
Continue with back blows and chest thrusts.
Attempt two rescue breaths to see if the airway is clear.

Correct answer: Carefully lower the infant to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.

If a choking infant becomes unresponsive, the procedure changes. You should immediately stop back blows and chest thrusts, place the infant on a hard surface, and start CPR, beginning with chest compressions. After each set of compressions, and before giving breaths, you should look in the mouth for the object.

Question 2: What does the acronym SAMPLE stand for in emergency patient assessment?

Scene, Airway, Movement, Pupils, Limbs, Extremities
Severity, Airway, Medications, Pain, Location, Evaluation
Signs, Age, Medical, Pulse, Level of consciousness, Exposure
Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last intake, Events (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last intake, Events

SAMPLE stands for Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the emergency.

Question 3: A worker has a large avulsion injury where skin is partially torn away. What should you do with the flap of skin?

Fold it back over the wound as close to normal position as possible (Correct answer)
Leave it hanging and apply a dry dressing
Soak it in saline before reattaching
Cut it off cleanly to prevent infection

Correct answer: Fold it back over the wound as close to normal position as possible

Avulsed skin flaps should be gently repositioned to protect underlying tissue; surgeons may be able to reattach the tissue.

Question 4: Which of the following is a sign that a tick bite may be causing Lyme disease?

Rapid swelling and hives
A bulls-eye (ring-shaped) rash around the bite (Correct answer)
Immediate severe pain at the bite site
A black spot at the center of a white rash

Correct answer: A bulls-eye (ring-shaped) rash around the bite

The bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans) is a hallmark early sign of Lyme disease and requires prompt medical evaluation.

Question 5: A victim in cardiac arrest has a pacemaker. The pacemaker bulge is visible under the skin. How should you place AED pads?

Skip the AED and use CPR only
Place one pad on the back instead
Directly over the pacemaker for best contact
At least 1 inch away from the pacemaker (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At least 1 inch away from the pacemaker

AED pads should be placed at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator to avoid interference.

Question 6: A child at a pool party suddenly slumps over unconscious. You confirm no breathing and no pulse. How should CPR compression depth differ for a child vs. an adult?

Deeper for a child — at least 3 inches
Shallower for a child — about 2 inches (one-third chest depth) (Correct answer)
Same depth — at least 2.4 inches for both
No compressions — only give rescue breaths for children

Correct answer: Shallower for a child — about 2 inches (one-third chest depth)

For children, compress to about 2 inches or one-third the chest depth to avoid over-compression injuries.

Question 7: At what depth should chest compressions be performed on an adult during CPR?

At least 2 inches (Correct answer)
At least 1 inch
At least 3 inches
At least 4 inches

Correct answer: At least 2 inches

The AHA guidelines specify compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but not greater than 2.4 inches (6 cm) for adults.

Question 8: After providing first aid for a musculoskeletal injury, when should you advise the patient to seek immediate medical attention?

Only if the skin is broken over the injury site
Only if the pain does not resolve within 24 hours
If there is significant deformity, numbness, severe swelling, or inability to bear weight (Correct answer)
If the patient is over 60 years of age regardless of injury severity

Correct answer: If there is significant deformity, numbness, severe swelling, or inability to bear weight

Deformity, neurovascular compromise, severe swelling, or inability to weight-bear are red-flag signs indicating a potentially serious injury requiring emergency evaluation.

Question 9: For internal bleeding after blunt abdominal trauma, which sign is most alarming?

Slight tenderness when pressed
Mild bruising over the abdomen
A rigid, board-like abdomen with increasing pain (Correct answer)
Skin that is warm and dry

Correct answer: A rigid, board-like abdomen with increasing pain

A rigid abdomen indicates significant internal bleeding or organ injury requiring immediate emergency care.

Question 10: A victim has a deep laceration on their forearm with bright red blood spurting in pulses. What type of bleeding is this?

Arterial bleeding (Correct answer)
Venous bleeding
Capillary bleeding
Internal bleeding

Correct answer: Arterial bleeding

Arterial bleeding is characterized by bright red blood that spurts in pulses synchronized with the heartbeat.

Question 11: Which of the following is an appropriate first aid treatment for a person who is conscious, able to swallow, and showing signs of a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) emergency, such as shakiness and confusion?

Provide them with a form of sugar, such as juice or non-diet soda. (Correct answer)
Administer a dose of their prescribed insulin.
Encourage them to perform light exercise to raise their blood sugar.
Give them a large glass of water and have them rest.

Correct answer: Provide them with a form of sugar, such as juice or non-diet soda.

A person with low blood sugar needs to consume sugar to raise their glucose levels quickly. Giving them 15-20 grams of sugar in the form of juice, glucose tablets, or regular soda is the standard treatment. Insulin would lower their blood sugar further, which is dangerous. Water has no sugar, and exercise would use up more sugar. This care is only for a conscious person who can safely swallow.

Question 12: A coworker suddenly develops hives, throat tightness, and difficulty breathing after eating lunch. This presentation is most consistent with:

Panic attack
Choking
Asthma exacerbation
Anaphylaxis (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Anaphylaxis

The combination of hives, throat tightness, and breathing difficulty after food exposure is the classic triad of anaphylaxis.

Question 13: When applying a pressure bandage to a wound, how should you position the bandage?

As tight as possible to stop all blood flow
Loosely over the wound to allow air circulation
Tight enough to maintain pressure but allowing pulse below (Correct answer)
Only over a dry wound without any dressing underneath

Correct answer: Tight enough to maintain pressure but allowing pulse below

A pressure bandage should maintain firm pressure while still allowing circulation distal to the wound.

Question 14: What is the MOST important step when treating a victim of heat stroke?

Administer aspirin to reduce the elevated temperature
Rapidly cool the body using ice packs, cool water immersion, or fans (Correct answer)
Keep the victim warm and covered with blankets
Give the victim cool sports drinks to restore electrolytes

Correct answer: Rapidly cool the body using ice packs, cool water immersion, or fans

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid cooling of the body immediately, as prolonged high temperatures cause irreversible organ damage.

Question 15: Which of the following best describes the signs of hypothermia?

Red, painful skin with blistering.
High fever, rapid pulse, and flushed skin.
Sudden, painful muscle spasms in the legs and abdomen.
Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness.

Hypothermia is a condition where the body's core temperature drops dangerously low. The signs and symptoms reflect the body's struggle to stay warm and the effect of cold on the brain, including shivering (in early stages), confusion, slurred speech, and progressing to drowsiness. High fever is a sign of hyperthermia (overheating), muscle spasms are related to heat cramps, and red, blistered skin is characteristic of a second-degree burn.

Question 16: What compression depth is recommended for adult CPR?

At least 3 inches
At least 2 inches (Correct answer)
At least 1.5 inches
At least 1 inch

Correct answer: At least 2 inches

Adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm).

Question 17: Which sign most reliably indicates an open (compound) fracture versus a closed fracture?

Bruising around the injury
Bone visible through the skin or a wound over the fracture site (Correct answer)
Pain with movement
Swelling at the injury site

Correct answer: Bone visible through the skin or a wound over the fracture site

An open fracture is identified by bone protruding through the skin or a wound at the fracture site, distinguishing it from a closed fracture.

Question 18: A child is having a febrile seizure. After it stops, what is the priority action?

Immerse the child in cold water to lower the fever
Place the child in the recovery position and call 911 (Correct answer)
Restrain the child immediately to prevent injury
Give the child water to prevent dehydration

Correct answer: Place the child in the recovery position and call 911

After a febrile seizure ends, placing the child in the recovery position protects the airway and emergency services should be contacted.

Question 19: A coworker is struck in the head by a falling tool and loses consciousness briefly. Which response is most appropriate?

Assume the injury is minor and monitor from a distance
Keep the worker still, assume a possible spinal injury, and call EMS (Correct answer)
Perform a head tilt-chin lift to check airway immediately
Have the worker walk it off to assess stability

Correct answer: Keep the worker still, assume a possible spinal injury, and call EMS

Loss of consciousness after a head strike indicates potential spinal involvement; keep the worker immobilized and activate EMS.

Question 20: Which symptom is a common sign of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Cherry-red skin and headache (Correct answer)
Blue lips and chest pain
Yellow skin and nausea
Rash and fever

Correct answer: Cherry-red skin and headache

Cherry-red skin and headache are classic signs of carbon monoxide poisoning due to the gas binding to hemoglobin.

Question 21: What should a worker do if their clothing catches fire?

Run to the nearest fire extinguisher
Fan the flames to cool them quickly
Stop, drop, and roll to smother the flames (Correct answer)
Remove all clothing as quickly as possible

Correct answer: Stop, drop, and roll to smother the flames

Stop, drop, and roll smothers flames by cutting off oxygen and prevents the person from fanning the fire by running.

Question 22: You find an unconscious adult who is breathing. There is no suspicion of spinal injury. What position should you place them in?

Face down (prone)
Semi-seated at 45 degrees
Flat on their back (supine)
Recovery position (on their side) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Recovery position (on their side)

The recovery position keeps the airway open and prevents aspiration if the person vomits while unconscious.

Question 23: If a wound dressing becomes soaked with blood, what should you do?

Add more dressings on top and continue applying pressure (Correct answer)
Release pressure to check if bleeding has stopped
Remove the soaked dressing and replace with a fresh one
Apply a tourniquet immediately

Correct answer: Add more dressings on top and continue applying pressure

Adding more dressings on top preserves clotting that has begun and maintains continuous pressure.

Question 24: What information should a first aider relay to the 911 dispatcher?

Location, nature of the emergency, number of victims, and any first aid already given (Correct answer)
A full medical history of the patient before anything else
Only the address — dispatchers do not need additional details
Their own name and certification level only

Correct answer: Location, nature of the emergency, number of victims, and any first aid already given

Dispatchers need enough information to send the right resources: where to go, what happened, how many are injured, and what is already being done.

Question 25: A person with a known nut allergy suddenly develops hives, throat swelling, and difficulty breathing after eating. They have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. What should you do?

Wait to see if symptoms improve on their own before acting (Correct answer)
Give them an antihistamine and have them lie down
Have them drink water and loosen their clothing
Administer the epinephrine auto-injector and call 911 immediately

Correct answer: Wait to see if symptoms improve on their own before acting

This presentation describes anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment and should be administered immediately using the auto-injector. 911 must be called even after epinephrine because symptoms can return and the patient requires hospital monitoring.

Question 26: What is the primary purpose of the 'primary survey' in first aid?

To gather the patient's medical history
To identify and treat immediate life threats (Correct answer)
To document injuries for insurance purposes
To determine the cause of the emergency

Correct answer: To identify and treat immediate life threats

The primary survey rapidly identifies life-threatening conditions — such as airway obstruction, severe bleeding, or absent breathing — that require immediate intervention.

Question 27: How long should you hold an epinephrine auto-injector against the thigh after injection?

3 seconds then massage the area
30 seconds for complete absorption
10 seconds to ensure full delivery (Correct answer)
1 second then remove immediately

Correct answer: 10 seconds to ensure full delivery

Holding for 10 seconds ensures all the medication is delivered before removing the device.

Question 28: When taking a severed finger—or part of one—to the emergency room, how should you carry it?

Use dry ice to freeze severed part
Place it in a clean plastic bag, pack the bag in ice (Correct answer)
Put the severed part directly in water
You should not carry it but dispose of it in seal proof bag

Correct answer: Place it in a clean plastic bag, pack the bag in ice

To maximize the chance of reattachment, a severed body part must be preserved correctly. It should be placed in a clean plastic bag to keep it sterile and prevent direct contact with water, then that bag should be packed in ice. This method keeps the tissue cold to slow degradation without causing direct freezing damage or waterlogging.

Question 29: A victim is found with a bone protruding from a wound. The correct first aid is to:

Cover with a moist, sterile dressing without pressing on the bone (Correct answer)
Push the bone back into place and bandage
Apply a tourniquet above the wound immediately
Remove any loose bone fragments before bandaging

Correct answer: Cover with a moist, sterile dressing without pressing on the bone

Protruding bone should be covered gently with a moist sterile dressing; never push it back or remove fragments.

First Aid Certification Exam

The First Aid Certification Exam exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

75%

To Pass

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