Free First Aid and Basic Life Support MCQs with Answers
50 First Aid and Basic Life Support MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
First aid covers scene safety, primary survey, bleeding control, shock, burns, fractures, choking, poisoning and emergency transport. Basic life support includes recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency help, chest compressions, rescue breaths, automated external defibrillator use and the difference between adult, child and infant procedures.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Check the casualty's pulse immediately
- B. Ensure the scene is safe for rescuers
- C. Give the casualty water to drink
- D. Move the casualty to a nearby hospital
Explanation: Scene safety comes first because an unsafe area may injure the rescuer and casualty.
Correct answer: Ensure the scene is safe for rescuers- A. Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing
- B. Wash the wound with a large amount of water
- C. Elevate the arm and wait for bleeding to stop
- D. Apply an ointment before covering the wound
Explanation: Firm, continuous direct pressure is the first method for controlling severe external bleeding.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing- A. Place the patient flat and keep the patient warm
- B. Place the patient sitting upright and give oral fluids
- C. Encourage the patient to walk to improve circulation
- D. Give a large meal to restore the patient's energy
Explanation: These findings suggest hypovolaemic shock, so the patient should be kept lying flat, warm and at rest while the bleeding is controlled and…
Correct answer: Place the patient flat and keep the patient warm- A. Cool the burn under clean running water
- B. Apply ice directly to the burned skin
- C. Break any blisters with a sterile needle
- D. Cover the burn with thick cotton wool
Explanation: Cool, clean running water helps limit tissue damage and relieves pain when used promptly.
Correct answer: Cool the burn under clean running water- A. Straighten the leg to restore its normal shape
- B. Immobilise the leg in the position found
- C. Massage the leg to reduce muscle spasm
- D. Ask the patient to walk to test the injury
Explanation: The limb should be immobilised in the position found, including the joints above and below when possible.
Correct answer: Immobilise the leg in the position found- A. Give repeated sips of water to clear the airway
- B. Give five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts
- C. Place the person flat and begin chest compressions
- D. Put fingers into the mouth and sweep for the object
Explanation: In severe choking, alternate five back blows with five abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.
Correct answer: Give five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts- A. Place the person in the recovery position
- B. Activate emergency help and begin CPR
- C. Give two glasses of water before assessment
- D. Wait several minutes to see whether breathing returns
Explanation: Unresponsiveness with absent normal breathing or gasping should be treated as cardiac arrest.
Correct answer: Activate emergency help and begin CPR- A. Fifteen compressions followed by one breath
- B. Thirty compressions followed by two breaths
- C. Five compressions followed by two breaths
- D. Ten compressions followed by five breaths
Explanation: The standard adult CPR sequence for a trained rescuer is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.
Correct answer: Thirty compressions followed by two breaths- A. Continue compressions while the pads are attached
- B. Expose and dry the chest, then attach the pads
- C. Place both pads directly over the patient's clothing
- D. Remove the pads immediately after each shock
Explanation: The chest must be exposed and dry so the AED pads adhere properly and deliver current safely.
Correct answer: Expose and dry the chest, then attach the pads- A. Induce vomiting to remove the chemical
- B. Give milk for every type of chemical exposure
- C. Keep the container and seek urgent poison advice
- D. Give activated charcoal without assessing the substance
Explanation: The container or product information helps identify the substance, and urgent professional poison advice is required.
Correct answer: Keep the container and seek urgent poison advice- A. Check the patient’s airway and responsiveness
- B. Measure the patient’s blood pressure and temperature
- C. Examine the patient’s limbs for suspected fractures
- D. Ask the patient about allergies and medications
Explanation: The primary survey begins with responsiveness and airway assessment, followed by breathing and circulation.
Correct answer: Check the patient’s airway and responsiveness- A. Tilt the patient’s head backward and ask for mouth breathing
- B. Lay the patient flat and raise both legs above the heart
- C. Lean the patient forward and pinch the soft nose
- D. Pack the nostril deeply with dry cotton and remove it quickly
Explanation: The patient should lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose continuously, allowing blood to drain outward.
Correct answer: Lean the patient forward and pinch the soft nose- A. Cover the area with a thick sterile dressing immediately
- B. Brush the area firmly before rinsing with a small amount of water
- C. Remove contaminated clothing and flush the skin with running water
- D. Apply an ointment to neutralise the chemical before washing
Explanation: Removing contaminated clothing and flushing with copious running water reduces the chemical contact time.
Correct answer: Remove contaminated clothing and flush the skin with running water- A. Encourage the person to continue coughing and observe closely
- B. Give repeated abdominal thrusts immediately despite effective coughing
- C. Give water to help move the object through the airway
- D. Place the person flat and begin chest compressions
Explanation: Effective coughing may clear a partial obstruction, so the rescuer should encourage coughing and monitor for deterioration.
Correct answer: Encourage the person to continue coughing and observe closely- A. Supine with the legs straight and the head unsupported
- B. Recovery position with the airway kept open
- C. Prone with the face turned downward into the mattress
- D. Sitting upright with the patient’s head bent forward
Explanation: The recovery position helps maintain airway patency and allows fluids to drain from the mouth.
Correct answer: Recovery position with the airway kept open- A. Ask the patient to stand so the spine can be checked
- B. Keep the head and neck still and avoid unnecessary movement
- C. Twist the neck gently to test the patient’s range of motion
- D. Place a pillow under the neck and turn the patient onto the side
Explanation: Possible spinal injury requires manual stabilisation of the head and neck and avoidance of unnecessary movement.
Correct answer: Keep the head and neck still and avoid unnecessary movement- A. On the upper sternum just below the throat
- B. On the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line
- C. Over the lower ribs on the left side of the chest
- D. Across the abdomen just below the rib margin
Explanation: Two fingers are placed on the lower half of the sternum, just below the nipple line, while avoiding the xiphoid area and ribs.
Correct answer: On the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line- A. Give several forceful breaths without changing the head position
- B. Reopen the airway and try one more breath
- C. Stop compressions and check the patient’s blood pressure
- D. Turn the patient prone and begin back blows immediately
Explanation: Failure of the chest to rise suggests an inadequate airway opening or a possible obstruction.
Correct answer: Reopen the airway and try one more breath- A. Pain at the burned area
- B. Small intact blisters on the hand
- C. Hoarseness with singed facial hair
- D. Redness over a limited area of the arm
Explanation: Hoarseness and singed facial hair suggest inhalation injury, which can cause rapidly worsening airway swelling.
Correct answer: Hoarseness with singed facial hair- A. 80 to 90 compressions per minute
- B. 90 to 100 compressions per minute
- C. 100 to 120 compressions per minute
- D. 120 to 140 compressions per minute
Explanation: Adult chest compressions should be delivered at 100 to 120 per minute to provide effective circulation.
Correct answer: 100 to 120 compressions per minuteFirst Aid and Basic Life Support MCQs: common questions
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