Medical Emergencies

What are the signs of a heart attack?

• AOnly chest pain
• BChest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and feeling faint✓
• COnly feeling faint
• DOnly nausea

Answer: Signs include central chest pain (often described as crushing or pressure), shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and feeling faint or light-headed.

What is the appropriate first aid for a suspected heart attack?

• AGive water to drink
• BSit or lie the casualty down, call 999, give aspirin if available and not allergic, and provide reassurance✓
• CHave them exercise to get blood flowing
• DApply heat to the chest

Answer: Sit or lie the casualty down, call 999 immediately, give aspirin if available and not allergic, and reassure them while monitoring their condition.

What is FAST for recognizing stroke?

• AFeel, Alert, Sensory, Test
• BFace drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 999✓
• CFast heartbeat, Alert response, Stiffness, Time
• DFever, Anxiety, Sweating, Tremor

Answer: FAST is a stroke recognition tool: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness on one side, Speech difficulty or slurring, Time to call 999 immediately.

What is the appropriate first aid for a suspected stroke?

• AGive food and drink
• BCall 999 immediately, note the time of onset, lie them down, and monitor their condition✓
• CHave them exercise
• DApply ice to the head

Answer: Call 999 immediately (time is critical for stroke treatment), note when symptoms started, position safely, and monitor until paramedics arrive.

What are the signs of a seizure?

• AOnly loss of consciousness
• BLoss of consciousness, convulsions, jerking movements, muscle rigidity, and possible incontinence✓
• COnly headache
• DOnly sleepiness

Answer: Signs include sudden loss of consciousness, muscle jerking and convulsions, body stiffness, possible foaming at the mouth, and loss of bladder/bowel control.

What should you do during a seizure?

• ARestrain the person firmly
• BPut something in their mouth to prevent tongue biting
• CMove them away from danger, protect their head, do not restrain, and place in recovery position when the seizure ends✓
• DLeave them alone

Answer: Do not restrain the person. Move furniture away, protect their head with something soft, position them safely, and place in recovery position after the seizure.

When should you call 999 for a seizure?

• ANever
• BOnly for prolonged seizures or multiple seizures
• CAlways for a first-time seizure or if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes✓
• DOnly if the person is injured

Answer: Call 999 immediately for a first-time seizure or if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus). Always call for someone with unknown seizure history.

What are the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?

• AOnly shakiness
• BShakiness, sweating, fast heartbeat, confusion, slurred speech, and possible loss of consciousness✓
• COnly feeling cold
• DOnly hunger

Answer: Signs include trembling, sweating, anxiety, fast heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, slurred speech, and confusion. Severe cases can lead to unconsciousness.

What is the appropriate first aid for hypoglycemia?

• AExercise to raise blood sugar
• BGive insulin immediately
• CIf conscious, give sugary drink or food, let them rest, and monitor✓
• DApply ice

Answer: If the person is conscious, give a sugary drink (e.g., regular cola, juice) or fast-acting carbohydrate, let them rest, and recheck. Call 999 if they lose consciousness.

What are the signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar/diabetic emergency)?

• AOnly thirst
• BThirst, dry skin, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing, confusion, and lethargy✓
• COnly hunger
• DOnly sweating

Answer: Signs include extreme thirst, dry mouth and skin, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing (Kussmaul respirations), confusion, and lethargy.

What is anaphylaxis?

• AA mild allergic reaction
• BA severe, life-threatening allergic reaction affecting breathing, circulation, and consciousness✓
• COnly a rash
• DNever life-threatening

Answer: Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction that causes breathing difficulty, cardiovascular collapse, shock, and can be fatal within minutes.

What are the signs of anaphylaxis?

• AOnly itching
• BDifficulty breathing, throat tightness, swelling of face/lips, rash, and shock✓
• COnly rash
• DOnly itchy eyes

Answer: Signs include difficulty breathing, throat/tongue swelling, wheezing, rapid weak pulse, severe itching, rash, feeling faint, and shock.