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 2 of 3
- A. About 2 to 3 centimetres
- B. About 3 to 4 centimetres
- C. About 5 to 6 centimetres
- D. About 7 to 8 centimetres
Explanation: Adult compressions should depress the chest about 5 to 6 centimetres, allowing full recoil after each compression.
Correct answer: About 5 to 6 centimetres22. A trained rescuer is performing CPR on a 7-year-old child. What compression depth is recommended?
- A. About one centimetre
- B. About two centimetres
- C. About five centimetres
- D. About eight centimetres
Explanation: For a child, compress the chest to about one third of its anterior-posterior depth, approximately 5 centimetres.
Correct answer: About five centimetres- A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
- B. 20 compressions to 2 breaths
- C. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
- D. 30 compressions to 1 breath
Explanation: Two-rescuer CPR for an infant uses 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths.
Correct answer: 15 compressions to 2 breaths- A. Continue compressions while the shock is delivered
- B. Ensure that nobody is touching the patient
- C. Remove the AED pads from the patient
- D. Give two rescue breaths before the shock
Explanation: The rescuer must clearly ensure that everyone is away from the patient before pressing the shock button.
Correct answer: Ensure that nobody is touching the patient- A. Pull out the glass and apply direct pressure
- B. Push the glass farther in to stop movement
- C. Apply pressure around the object and support it
- D. Wash the wound vigorously before dressing it
Explanation: An embedded object should not be removed because it may be limiting bleeding.
Correct answer: Apply pressure around the object and support it- A. Leave the ring until the burn is assessed
- B. Remove the ring before swelling develops
- C. Place ice directly over the ring and burn
- D. Cover the ring tightly with a bandage
Explanation: Jewellery should be removed early because burn-related swelling can make it constrict circulation.
Correct answer: Remove the ring before swelling develops- A. Enter quickly and carry the worker outside
- B. Give the worker water before moving them
- C. Move to fresh air only when the area is safe
- D. Make the worker vomit to remove the fumes
Explanation: The first aider must avoid becoming another casualty and should move the person to fresh air only after the area is safe.
Correct answer: Move to fresh air only when the area is safe- A. Push the bone back under the skin
- B. Straighten the arm forcefully
- C. Cover the wound and immobilize the arm
- D. Wash deeply inside the wound with antiseptic
Explanation: Cover the wound with a sterile or clean dressing and immobilize the limb in the position found.
Correct answer: Cover the wound and immobilize the arm- A. Place the pads over the wet clothing
- B. Dry the chest quickly before applying pads
- C. Apply a thick dressing under each pad
- D. Delay defibrillation until the patient is dry
Explanation: The chest should be exposed and dried quickly so the adhesive pads contact the skin and the shock is delivered safely.
Correct answer: Dry the chest quickly before applying pads- A. Remove it and inspect the wound closely
- B. Add another dressing and continue firm pressure
- C. Wash the wound before applying a new dressing
- D. Leave the wound uncovered to observe bleeding
Explanation: A further dressing should be placed over the original one while firm direct pressure continues.
Correct answer: Add another dressing and continue firm pressure- A. Give water slowly to prevent dehydration
- B. Keep the patient warm and lying flat if tolerated
- C. Ask the patient to walk to improve circulation
- D. Place the patient upright and apply a cold compress
Explanation: Keeping the patient warm and still helps reduce heat loss and oxygen demand.
Correct answer: Keep the patient warm and lying flat if tolerated- A. Apply antibiotic ointment to the burn
- B. Pour cool water over the electrical socket
- C. Switch off or disconnect the electrical supply safely
- D. Cover the patient with a thick wool blanket
Explanation: The electrical source must be switched off or disconnected without placing the rescuer at risk.
Correct answer: Switch off or disconnect the electrical supply safely- A. Straighten the arm forcefully before splinting
- B. Immobilize the arm in the position found and check circulation
- C. Massage the arm to reduce swelling and stiffness
- D. Ask the patient to move the wrist to locate the fracture
Explanation: The injured limb should be supported and immobilized in the position found, without forcing it straight.
Correct answer: Immobilize the arm in the position found and check circulation34. An unconscious adult with severe choking is lowered to the floor. What should the rescuer do next?
- A. Perform a blind finger sweep of the mouth
- B. Start CPR and look for an object when the mouth is opened for breaths
- C. Give repeated abdominal thrusts while the patient lies flat
- D. Place the patient in a sitting position and offer water
Explanation: For an unresponsive choking adult, the rescuer activates emergency help and begins CPR.
Correct answer: Start CPR and look for an object when the mouth is opened for breaths- A. About 1 cm, using gentle pressure
- B. About 2 cm, or one quarter of the chest depth
- C. About 4 cm, or one third of the chest depth
- D. About 6 cm, as for an adult patient
Explanation: Infant compressions should be about one third of the chest depth, approximately 4 cm.
Correct answer: About 4 cm, or one third of the chest depth- A. Directly over the pacemaker to improve conduction
- B. At least several centimetres away from the pacemaker
- C. On the abdomen below the pacemaker
- D. Under the patient’s back beside the spine
Explanation: An AED pad should not be placed directly over an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.
Correct answer: At least several centimetres away from the pacemaker- A. Apply a tight bandage over the fracture
- B. Report the impaired circulation urgently and minimize movement
- C. Ask the patient to exercise the fingers repeatedly
- D. Apply heat directly to the injured hand
Explanation: Absent distal pulse with a cold, pale hand suggests compromised circulation and requires urgent escalation.
Correct answer: Report the impaired circulation urgently and minimize movement- A. Induce vomiting by giving salty water
- B. Give milk to dilute the tablets
- C. Place the person on the side and contact emergency poison support
- D. Leave the person alone to sleep off the effect
Explanation: An unconscious but normally breathing person should be placed in a safe side-lying position and monitored while emergency help and poison…
Correct answer: Place the person on the side and contact emergency poison support- A. Continue preparing the stretcher before reassessing
- B. Reassess breathing and circulation and activate emergency support
- C. Give oral fluids to improve alertness
- D. Apply a splint before checking the airway
Explanation: A sudden change in consciousness with abnormal breathing suggests deterioration and possible cardiac arrest.
Correct answer: Reassess breathing and circulation and activate emergency support- A. Ask the person to bring an AED and call emergency services
- B. Place the patient in the recovery position and monitor breathing
- C. Give five rescue breaths before starting chest compressions
- D. Search for the patient's medicines and medical history
Explanation: The rescuer should activate emergency help and send for an AED immediately while CPR is started.
Correct answer: Ask the person to bring an AED and call emergency services