Can You Pass This First Aid Quiz?

When medical emergencies happen, knowing what to do before professional help arrives can make a significant impact on outcomes. Whether you’re at work, home, or on the go, being prepared with essential skills is key. Taking a first aid quiz is a great way to check your knowledge — and find out where you might need a refresher. Test yourself, check the correct answer, and learn why each action matters. Good luck!

True or False Questions

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1. The first step in emergency situations is to provide care to the injured person.

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2. For a chemical burn, you should rinse the area with cold water for at least 15 minutes.

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3. Rescue breaths are no longer used in CPR.

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4. The best way to stop severe bleeding is to always use a tourniquet.

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5. You should apply ice directly to a sprained ankle.

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6. For a suspected spinal injury, you should move the person to a more comfortable position.

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7. If someone is having an asthma attack, you should help them use their inhaler and call for medical help if symptoms don’t improve.

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8. If a choking person can speak or cough, you should encourage them to keep coughing and watch for signs of severe airway obstruction.

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9. You should remove any visible water from a person’s chest before using an AED.

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10. First aid kits are only needed in workplaces.

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ANSWERS:

1. The first step in emergency situations is to provide care to the injured person.

Answer: False

The first thing is always to assess for scene safety. Before you approach someone who is hurt, take a moment to identify any potential hazards, such as fire, live wires, or unstable structures. Rushing in without assessing the situation could result in further harm to you or others. Once the area is safe, check the person’s responsiveness and call emergency services if needed.

2. For a chemical burn, you should rinse the area with cold water for at least 15 minutes.

Answer: True

Chemical burns require immediate flushing with cold water to remove the chemical and cool the area. Remove any contaminated clothing while protecting yourself, and rinse the area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention after rinsing.

Note: Brush off any dry chemical powder first. Adding water to dry chemical powders can make them corrosive and capable of burning or destroying skin.

3. Rescue breaths are no longer used in CPR.

Answer: False

Rescue breaths are still used in infant, child, and adult CPR when the responder is trained and willing to perform them as they provide life-sustaining oxygen and ventilation. The correct ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths is 30 compressions followed by two breaths. If you are untrained or uncomfortable with rescue breaths, compression-only CPR is still effective. Push hard and fast on the center of the chest.

Note: Compression-only CPR isn’t appropriate or recommended for children. However, if you’re unwilling to give rescue breaths, compression-only CPR is preferable to no CPR.

4. The best way to stop severe bleeding is to always use a tourniquet.

Answer: False

The first step to control severe bleeding is to apply firm, direct pressure using a hemostatic dressing or clean cloth. If direct pressure does not stop the bleeding and the injury is to an arm or leg, apply a commercial tourniquet as soon as possible. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, place it two to three inches above the injury (between the torso and wound), and record the time it was applied.

5. You should apply ice directly to a sprained ankle.

Answer: False

You should never apply ice directly to the skin. The best way to reduce swelling and pain from a sprained ankle is to use a plastic bag filled with a mixture of ice and water. Place a barrier, such as a thin towel, between the plastic bag and the skin to prevent cold injury. Limit each application to no more than 20 minutes, and repeat as needed.

6. For a suspected spinal injury, you should move the person to a more comfortable position.

Answer: False

It’s best not to move a person if you suspect a spinal or pelvic injury unless they are in immediate danger. Movement can cause further damage to the spinal cord. Call emergency services and keep the person as still as possible until medical professionals arrive.

7. If someone is having an asthma attack, you should help them use their inhaler and call for medical help if symptoms don’t improve.

Answer: True

An asthma attack can worsen quickly. Assist the person in assembling and using their prescribed inhaler. If their symptoms continue or worsen, call 911 and be prepared to provide CPR if the person becomes unresponsive.

8. If a choking person can speak or cough, you should encourage them to keep coughing and watch for signs of severe airway obstruction.

Answer: True

If the person can speak or cough, it means their airway is only partially blocked. Encourage them to keep coughing to clear the obstruction. If their condition worsens and they cannot breathe or make sounds, provide forceful abdominal thrusts inward and upward just above the navel until the object clears or the person becomes unresponsive.

Note: For infants, provide five back slaps, followed by five chest thrusts using two fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Repeat until the object is expelled or the infant can breathe or becomes unresponsive.

9. You should remove any visible water from a person’s chest before using an AED.

Answer: True

Before placing AED pads, quickly dry the chest to help the pads stick properly and ensure effective electrical contact.

Note: If the person is immersed in water, remove them and dry the chest before using the AED. However, if they’re in a wet setting — such as lying in the rain, on snow or ice, on a wet floor or deck, or in a small puddle — it’s safe to use the AED.

10. First aid kits are only needed in workplaces.

Answer: False

Every home, car, and recreational space should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Whether you're responding to a minor cut or severe bleeding, having essential tools like triangular bandages, gloves, gauze, and CPR masks on hand is crucial. First aid kits help you treat common injuries, prevent further harm, and stabilize the person until medical professionals arrive.

Take the next step

Passing a first aid test is more than getting a good score. It’s about building confidence that becomes second nature in real emergencies. Whether it’s recognizing signs of a heart attack, treating a head injury, or spotting heat stroke, the first people on the scene often make the biggest difference.

True readiness starts with taking a CPR, AED, and First Aid training class. You’ll learn how to identify medical emergencies, protect yourself and others, and provide lifesaving care while waiting for emergency services. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or team leader, these are skills everyone should have.

Our nationwide network of authorized instructors makes it easy to find high-quality CPR, AED, and First Aid courses near you. Choose from flexible course options that fit your schedule, meet workplace requirements, and help build lifesaving confidence! Find a class today!