Learn CPR. For Life.™
Certification
Exam

First Aid: Recap & Exam Prep

First Aid Exam Prep Guide

 

Before you take your First Aid Certification Exam, review these key concepts to ensure you’re fully prepared. This guide summarizes the most critical points from your training—helping you pass with confidence and apply your skills in real emergencies.


🚨 Life-Threatening Emergencies

Breathing Emergencies

✔ Recognizing signs: Shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips/skin, rapid or slow breathing.
✔ What to do: Keep the person calm, assist with medication (inhaler/EpiPen if prescribed), call 911 if breathing worsens.
✔ CPR? If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately.

Choking

✔ Adults & Children: Perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts).
✔ Infants: Give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts.
✔ Unconscious victim? Lower them to the ground and start CPR.

Drowning

✔ Get the person out of the water safely.
✔ Check for breathing and pulse: If absent, begin CPR immediately.
✔ Rescue breaths are critical: Drowning victims need oxygen first!

Chest Pain & Heart Attack

✔ Heart Attack Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, pain in the jaw or left arm.
✔ What to do: Call 911, keep the person calm, give aspirin if no allergy exists.

Stroke (FAST Method)

✔ Face Drooping: One side of the face appears droopy or uneven.
✔ Arm Weakness: One arm is weak or numb, drifting downward when raised.
✔ Speech Difficulty: Slurred, confused, or unable to speak properly.
✔ Time to Call 911: Stroke is a medical emergency—act fast!

Shock

✔ Causes: Severe bleeding, trauma, allergic reactions, heart failure.
✔ Signs: Pale skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing, confusion.
✔ Treatment: Lay the person flat, elevate their legs, keep them warm, and call 911.

Seizures

✔ Do NOT restrain the person.
✔ Protect their head and clear the area of hazards.
✔ Call 911 if: The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, repeats, or the person doesn’t wake up.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

✔ Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, nausea.
✔ What to do: Move to fresh air immediately, call 911, do NOT re-enter the area.


🩹 Injuries & Trauma Care

Severe Bleeding & Open Wounds

✔ Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
✔ Do NOT remove embedded objects – stabilize and control bleeding around them.
✔ Use a tourniquet ONLY for life-threatening bleeding.

Fractures & Broken Bones

✔ Signs: Severe pain, swelling, deformity, inability to move limb.
✔ What to do: Immobilize the limb, do NOT try to straighten it, apply ice, and seek emergency care.

Burns

✔ Minor Burns: Cool with running water for at least 10 minutes.
✔ Severe Burns: Do NOT apply ointments/creams, cover with a clean, dry dressing, call 911.
✔ Electrical Burns: Turn off the power source before touching the victim.

Head Injuries

✔ Signs of a Concussion: Confusion, dizziness, nausea, memory loss.
✔ What to do: Keep the person awake, monitor symptoms, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

Spinal Injuries

✔ Do NOT move the victim unless absolutely necessary.
✔ Keep their head and neck stable by supporting them in place.
✔ If unconscious, monitor breathing and be prepared to give CPR.

Eye Injuries

✔ Foreign Object: Rinse the eye with clean water; do NOT rub it.
✔ Chemical Burns: Flush the eye with running water for 15+ minutes and call 911.
✔ Black Eye or Swelling: Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.

Broken Tooth

✔ What to do: Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply gauze to bleeding areas.
✔ Save the tooth: If a tooth is knocked out, place it in milk or saline and see a dentist immediately.


🌡 Environmental & Exposure Emergencies

Heat Stroke

✔ Signs: Hot, dry skin, confusion, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness.
✔ Treatment: Move to a cool area, remove excess clothing, apply cool, wet cloths, and call 911.

Hypothermia & Frostbite

✔ Hypothermia Signs: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness.
✔ Treatment: Warm gradually using dry blankets; do NOT apply direct heat.
✔ Frostbite: Do NOT rub the affected area. Warm it slowly with lukewarm water.

Poisoning

✔ Inhaled Poison (e.g., Carbon Monoxide): Move to fresh air immediately.
✔ Swallowed Poison: Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed by Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).
✔ Chemical Contact with Skin/Eyes: Rinse with running water for at least 15 minutes.

Electrical Injuries

✔ Before helping, make sure the power source is OFF!
✔ Signs: Unconsciousness, burns at entry/exit points, irregular breathing.
✔ Treatment: If no pulse, begin CPR. Treat burns and call 911.


⚕ Medical Emergencies

Allergic Reactions & Anaphylaxis

✔ Mild Allergies: Treat with an antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl).
✔ Severe Allergies (Anaphylaxis): Use an EpiPen, call 911, and monitor breathing.

Asthma Attack

✔ Assist with inhaler use if prescribed.
✔ If symptoms worsen – Call 911.

Fainting

✔ Lay the person flat and elevate their legs.
✔ If unconscious for more than a minute, call 911.
✔ If due to low blood sugar, offer a sugary drink once awake.

Nosebleeds

✔ Sit upright and lean forward – do NOT tilt the head back.
✔ Pinch nostrils shut for 5-10 minutes until bleeding stops.

Animal & Human Bites

✔ Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
✔ Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile dressing.
✔ If bitten by an unknown or wild animal, seek immediate medical care (risk of rabies).


📝 Final Exam Tips

✔ Stay calm & focused – The exam is designed to reinforce learning, not trick you.
✔ Trust your training – You know this material! Use logic and critical thinking.
✔ Read each question carefully – Some answers may be close, so pick the best option.
✔ Use what you’ve learned – Think about real-life situations and how you’d respond.