INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following exercises by marking the lettered response that best answers the question or best completes the sentence or by writing the answer in the space provided.
After you have answered all of the exercises, scroll down to “Solutions to Exercises” at the bottom of the page and check your answers. For each exercise answered incorrectly, reread the lesson material referenced with the solution.
1. You are treating a casualty who was injured in an explosion. The casualty is unconscious and unresponsive. He has a bruise behind one ear and a slightly bloody fluid is leaking from that ear. There is a depressed area on that side of the casualty’s head, but the skin is not broken and the injury is not bleeding. His pulse rate and respiratory rate are slow. You should suspect the casualty has:
a. A possible spinal injury.
b. A closed head injury.
c. An open head wound.
d. A closed head injury with possible spinal injury.
2. A casualty has an open head wound on his forehead just above his left eye. He is conscious and does not appear to have any other significant injury. After you dress his wound, he states that he feels like he may throw up. How should you position the casualty?
a. Have the casualty lie on his chest.
b. Have the casualty lie on his right side.
c. Have the casualty lie on his left side.
d. Have the casualty lie on his back with his feet elevated.
3. When treating a casualty with an open head wound in a chemical environment, you should:
a. Remove the casualty’s protective gear, dress the wound, and replace the protective gear.
b. Repair any damage to the protective gear and not dress the wound until the “all clear” has been given.
4. You are applying a field dressing to a casualty with an open head wound on the top of his head. Where should you tie the tails in a non-slip knot?
a. On top of the casualty’s head, directly over the wound.
b. On the side of the casualty’s head.
c. Under the casualty’s chin.
5. You have to leave a casualty who has an open wound on the right side of his head. The casualty is drowsy and cannot sit up. How should you position the casualty?
a. On his back with his feet elevated.
b. On his back with his head raised.
c. On his left side.
d. On his right side.
6. A soldier has suffered a blow to the head. He is conscious and does not have any fractures or open wounds. He does, however, have some bloody fluid draining from his left ear. What should you do?
a. Cover the left ear with a field dressing.
b. Apply a pressure dressing to the left ear.
c. Position the casualty on his left side to promote the drainage. No dressing is needed.
7. When monitoring a casualty with a head injury, you should reevaluate the casualty’s level of consciousness every ______________________________.
8. Which of the following statements is/are true?
a. A minor nosebleed can often be controlled by rolling up a gauze pad, placing the pad under the casualty’s upper lip, and pressing the pad against the nasal region with the fingers.
b. A nosebleed that does not respond to pressure or which reoccurs may indicate a more serious injury.
c. A nosebleed can result in a blocked airway.
d. All of the above statements are correct.
SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES, LESSON 5
1. d (paras 5-3, 5-4, 5-12)
2. a (para 5-6d)
3. b (para 5-7 Caution)
4. b (para 5-9i)
5. c (paras 5-6c, 5-15e)
6. a (para 5-12c)
7. Fifteen minutes. (paras 5-11, 5-13, 5-15c)
8. d (paras 5-15, 5-15b(2), c)