Nursing Foundation - First Aids Notes With MCQs Practice

UNITY MEDICAL ACADEMY

First Aid Notes – Complete Guide

BSc Nursing • GNM • ANM • NORCET • Nursing Students

Complete First Aid Notes covering emergency assessment, bleeding, burns, choking, CPR, shock, fractures and more.

🚑 🩹 ❤️

FIRST AID

Safe • Assess • Call for Help • Care • Reassess

Quick Definition:
First aid is the immediate helping behaviour and initial care provided to a person experiencing an acute illness or injury, while appropriate further medical care is being arranged.

First aid is an important nursing and community-health skill. It focuses on recognizing immediate threats to life, preventing further harm, providing appropriate early care and obtaining professional medical assistance when required.

For nursing students and NORCET preparation, first aid is closely related to BLS, emergency management, trauma, bleeding, burns, choking, shock, poisoning and disaster management.

📚 Table of Contents

1. Definition of First Aid
2. Aims of First Aid
3. Principles of First Aid
4. Scene Safety & PPE
5. Initial Assessment
6. ABC Approach
7. Bleeding
8. Wounds
9. Burns
10. Fractures & Sprains
11. Shock
12. Choking
13. CPR
14. AED
15. Unconscious Person
16. Seizure
17. Stroke
18. Chest Pain
19. Anaphylaxis
20. Poisoning
21. Snakebite
22. Drowning
23. Heat Illness
24. Nosebleed
25. Eye Injury
26. Electrical Injury
27. First Aid Kit
28. Nursing Responsibilities
29. Documentation
30. Common Mistakes
31. NORCET High-Yield Points
32. FAQs
33. 30 MCQs
34. Quick Revision

1. Definition of First Aid

First aid refers to the immediate assistance and initial care given to a person suffering from an acute illness or injury until appropriate medical care is available.

🩹

Immediate Care

Protect life → Prevent worsening → Promote recovery

Exam Definition:
First aid is the immediate initial care provided for an acute illness or injury before definitive medical treatment.

2. Aims of First Aid

❤️ Preserve Life

Maintain vital functions and address immediate threats.

🛡️ Prevent Worsening

Prevent further injury or deterioration.

🤝 Promote Recovery

Provide appropriate early supportive care.

• Preserve life
• Prevent further injury
• Prevent deterioration
• Relieve suffering
• Promote recovery
• Arrange professional medical care

3. Principles of First Aid

1. Stay Calm
Remain calm and think systematically.

2. Ensure Safety
Check the environment before approaching the casualty.

3. Protect Yourself
Use appropriate PPE whenever available.

4. Assess the Patient
Identify responsiveness, breathing and life-threatening bleeding.

5. Activate Emergency Help
Call the appropriate local emergency service when required.

6. Provide Appropriate Care
Act according to your training, competence and local protocols.

7. Reassess
Continue monitoring until appropriate help takes over.

4. Scene Safety & PPE

🦺 🧤 ⚠️

CHECK THE SCENE FIRST

Potential hazards include traffic, fire, electricity, chemicals, violence, unsafe water, structural collapse and other environmental risks.

Golden Rule:
Do not rush into an unsafe scene and become another casualty.

Examples of PPE

• Disposable gloves
• Eye protection when splash is possible
• Face protection when appropriate
• Protective clothing when required

5. Initial Assessment

👀 → 🗣️ → 🫁 → 🩸

ASSESS SYSTEMATICALLY

1. Check scene safety.
2. Use PPE if available.
3. Check responsiveness.
4. Assess breathing.
5. Look for life-threatening bleeding.
6. Activate emergency assistance when required.
7. Provide appropriate first aid.
8. Reassess continuously.

6. ABC Approach

Letter	Meaning	Key Question
A	Airway	Is the airway open?
B	Breathing	Is the person breathing normally?
C	Circulation	Is there life-threatening bleeding or circulatory compromise?

NORCET Tip: ABC = Airway → Breathing → Circulation.

7. First Aid for Bleeding

🩸 + 🩹

CONTROL SEVERE BLEEDING

Direct pressure is a key initial measure.

Life-Threatening External Bleeding

1. Ensure your own safety.
2. Use gloves if available.
3. Apply firm direct pressure to the wound.
4. Use appropriate dressing material.
5. For life-threatening limb bleeding, an appropriate manufactured tourniquet may be used by trained responders when indicated.
6. Activate emergency medical assistance.
7. Continue monitoring the casualty.

Important:
Do not repeatedly remove a dressing simply to inspect the wound. Maintain appropriate pressure and add dressing material when required.

Possible Signs of Severe Blood Loss

• Pallor
• Cool or clammy skin
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Rapid pulse
• Altered consciousness
• Collapse

8. First Aid for Wounds

🩹 Minor Cut

Control bleeding and cover appropriately.

🧼 Abrasion

Clean appropriately and protect the area.

🏥 Deep Wound

Control bleeding and seek medical evaluation.

For deeply embedded objects, do not blindly attempt removal. Arrange appropriate medical care.

9. First Aid for Burns

🔥 → 💧 → 🩹

BURN FIRST AID

Immediate Management

1. Ensure scene safety.
2. Stop the burning process.
3. Move away from the source if safe.
4. Cool the burn with cool running water.
5. Remove jewellery or constricting items if they are not stuck.
6. Cover appropriately with a clean non-adherent dressing or clean cloth.
7. Arrange medical assessment for significant burns.

Do NOT apply:
Ice, toothpaste, oil, ghee, turmeric paste or other household remedies directly to a burn.

Urgent Medical Assessment Is Important When

• Face or neck is involved
• Breathing difficulty is present
• Burn is extensive
• Hands, feet or major joints are involved
• Genital area is involved
• Significant blistering or tissue injury is present
• Chemical or electrical burn is suspected

10. Fractures and Sprains

🦴 🩹

PROTECT & IMMOBILIZE

Possible Signs of Fracture

• Pain
• Swelling
• Deformity
• Loss of function
• Tenderness
• Abnormal movement

First Aid

1. Keep the injured person still.
2. Avoid unnecessary movement.
3. Immobilize appropriately when trained.
4. Assess circulation, sensation and movement when within your training.
5. Control associated bleeding.
6. Arrange medical assessment.

Never force a deformed limb back into its normal position.

11. First Aid for Shock

❤️‍🩹 ⚠️

SHOCK IS LIFE-THREATENING

Shock is a serious condition in which circulation is inadequate to meet the body's tissue oxygen needs.

Possible Signs

• Pale or clammy skin
• Weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Collapse

First Aid Priorities

• Identify and address the underlying emergency within your training.
• Control severe bleeding.
• Activate emergency medical assistance.
• Keep the person appropriately warm.
• Monitor airway and breathing.
• Avoid giving food or drink to a severely ill or injured person.

12. Choking / Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

😮‍💨 ✋

CHOKING

Signs of Severe Choking

• Unable to speak
• Unable to breathe normally
• Unable to cough effectively
• Silent or ineffective cough
• Progressive deterioration or unconsciousness

Current AHA High-Yield Point:
For severe foreign-body airway obstruction in a conscious adult or child, current AHA guidance uses alternating 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts, beginning with back blows.

Infant Choking

For a severely choking infant, current AHA guidance uses alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts. Abdominal thrusts are not used for infants.

If a choking person becomes unresponsive, activate emergency response and begin CPR according to current training.

13. CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

❤️ + 🙌

CPR

High-quality CPR is a key intervention in cardiac arrest.

Basic Adult Sequence

1. Ensure scene safety.
2. Check responsiveness.
3. Assess breathing according to your training.
4. Activate emergency response.
5. Start CPR when cardiac arrest is suspected.
6. Use an AED as soon as available.
7. Continue until appropriate help takes over or signs of life return.

Remember:
Adult CPR emphasizes high-quality chest compressions, appropriate rate and depth, complete recoil and minimal interruptions.

14. Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

⚡ ❤️

AED

An AED analyzes the heart rhythm and can deliver a defibrillation shock when a shockable rhythm is detected.

Basic Steps

1. Turn on the AED.
2. Expose the chest appropriately.
3. Apply the pads according to the device instructions.
4. Follow the device prompts.
5. Ensure nobody is touching the patient during analysis or shock.
6. Resume CPR when instructed.

15. Unconscious Person

🧍‍♂️ → 🫁 → 🚑

UNRESPONSIVE PERSON

• Check responsiveness.
• Assess breathing.
• Activate emergency help.
• If not breathing normally, begin CPR according to training.
• If breathing normally, maintain the airway and use a recovery position when appropriate and when major trauma is not suspected.

16. First Aid for Seizure

🧠 ⚡

SEIZURE FIRST AID

During Seizure

• Protect the person from nearby hazards.
• Protect the head if possible.
• Do not restrain the person's movements.
• Do not put anything in the mouth.
• Observe and note the duration.

After Seizure

• Check breathing and responsiveness.
• Place in recovery position when appropriate.
• Stay with the person.
• Seek emergency assistance for prolonged or repeated seizures or other serious features.

17. First Aid for Stroke

🧠 🚨

FAST

F – Face: Facial weakness or drooping
A – Arms: Arm weakness
S – Speech: Speech difficulty
T – Time: Seek emergency medical help immediately

Stroke is time-sensitive. Rapid recognition and emergency evaluation are important.

18. First Aid for Chest Pain

❤️‍🩹 🚑

CHEST PAIN = TAKE SERIOUSLY

• Stop activity and keep the person at rest.
• Activate emergency medical assistance when an acute cardiac emergency is suspected.
• Monitor responsiveness and breathing.
• Be prepared to start CPR if cardiac arrest occurs.

Do not delay emergency care while trying home remedies.

19. Anaphylaxis

🚨 😮‍💨

SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION

Possible Signs

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Facial or tongue swelling
• Widespread hives
• Vomiting
• Dizziness or collapse

First Aid

1. Recognize the emergency.
2. Activate emergency medical services.
3. Assist with prescribed epinephrine auto-injector when appropriate and within training.
4. Monitor airway and breathing.
5. Start CPR if cardiac arrest occurs.

20. First Aid for Poisoning

☠️ ⚠️

POISONING

General Principles

• Ensure scene safety.
• Stop ongoing exposure when safe.
• Identify the substance if possible.
• Keep the container or label available.
• Contact appropriate emergency or poison information services.
• Follow expert instructions.

Do not routinely induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by an appropriate poison expert or healthcare professional.

21. Snakebite First Aid

🐍 🚑

URGENT MEDICAL CARE

Do

• Keep the person calm.
• Limit unnecessary movement.
• Arrange urgent medical transport.
• Remove rings or other constricting items if swelling may occur.
• Record the approximate time of the bite.

Do NOT

• Do not cut the bite.
• Do not suck venom from the wound.
• Do not apply ice directly.
• Do not use harmful traditional remedies.
• Do not delay hospital treatment trying to identify the snake.

22. Drowning

🌊 🚑 ❤️

DROWNING EMERGENCY

1. Ensure rescuer safety.
2. Remove the person from water using a safe method.
3. Assess responsiveness and breathing.
4. Activate emergency services.
5. Begin CPR when indicated.
6. Use an AED when available and appropriate.

Never enter dangerous water without appropriate rescue training and equipment.

23. Heat-Related Illness

☀️ Heat Exhaustion

Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache and nausea may occur.

🚨 Heat Stroke

Altered mental status and collapse are emergency warning signs.

💧 Cooling

Rapid appropriate cooling is important in suspected heat stroke.

Suspected heat stroke requires urgent emergency medical care and rapid cooling according to available protocols.

24. Nosebleed / Epistaxis

👃 🩸

NOSEBLEED

1. Keep the person calm.
2. Sit upright and lean slightly forward.
3. Pinch the soft part of the nose continuously.
4. Spit out blood rather than swallowing it.
5. Seek medical care if bleeding is severe, persistent or associated with significant trauma.

Avoid tilting the head backward.

25. Eye Injury

👁️ 💧

EYE FIRST AID

Chemical Exposure

1. Protect yourself.
2. Immediately irrigate the eye with plenty of clean water or appropriate irrigating fluid.
3. Remove contact lenses if they come out easily during irrigation.
4. Continue irrigation while arranging urgent medical care.

Foreign Body

Do not rub the eye. Do not attempt to remove a deeply embedded object. Arrange appropriate medical evaluation.

26. Electrical Injury

⚡ 🧤 🚑

ELECTRICAL SAFETY FIRST

1. Do not touch the casualty while current may still be flowing.
2. Switch off the power source if safely possible.
3. Activate emergency medical assistance.
4. Assess responsiveness and breathing after the scene is safe.
5. Begin CPR if indicated.
6. Assess for burns and associated injuries.

Never become part of the electrical circuit.

27. First Aid Kit

🧰 🩹 🧤

BASIC FIRST AID KIT

Item	Purpose
Sterile gauze	Wound dressing and bleeding control
Adhesive bandages	Minor wounds
Adhesive tape	Securing dressings
Disposable gloves	Protection and infection control
Scissors	Cutting tape and dressings
Elastic bandage	Support for selected soft-tissue injuries
CPR barrier device	Barrier protection during rescue breathing
Clean cloth/dressings	Basic wound and bleeding management

Check the first-aid kit regularly and replace used or expired items.

28. Nursing Responsibilities

• Maintain scene and personal safety.
• Use appropriate PPE.
• Perform systematic assessment.
• Identify life-threatening conditions.
• Maintain airway and breathing.
• Control severe bleeding.
• Monitor vital signs when appropriate.
• Provide appropriate supportive care.
• Provide reassurance.
• Arrange referral or emergency transfer.
• Document interventions.
• Communicate effectively with the healthcare team.

29. Documentation

Information	Examples
Incident	Date, time and mechanism of injury
Assessment	Responsiveness, breathing, bleeding, vital signs when appropriate
Intervention	First-aid measures performed
Response	Patient response to intervention
Referral	Emergency service activation and transfer information
Handover	Important information communicated to receiving healthcare team

30. Common First-Aid Mistakes

• Entering an unsafe scene.
• Delaying emergency activation.
• Giving food or drink to an unconscious person.
• Putting an object into the mouth during a seizure.
• Applying ice directly to burns.
• Applying toothpaste, oil or turmeric to burns.
• Trying to straighten a fracture forcefully.
• Cutting or sucking a snakebite.
• Routinely inducing vomiting after poisoning.
• Ignoring altered consciousness or abnormal breathing.

31. NORCET High-Yield Exam Points

• First Aid: Immediate initial care.
• First priority: Scene safety.
• ABC: Airway → Breathing → Circulation.
• Severe bleeding: Direct pressure is a key initial measure.
• Burn: Cool running water; avoid direct ice.
• Seizure: Protect the patient; do not restrain; nothing in mouth.
• Stroke: FAST.
• Cardiac arrest: CPR + AED when available.
• Snakebite: Urgent medical care; no cutting or sucking.
• Poisoning: Do not routinely induce vomiting.
• Electrical injury: Ensure power safety before touching casualty.
• Infant choking: 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts.
• Adult/child severe choking: 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts.

32. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step in first aid?

Check the scene for safety before approaching the casualty.

What does ABC stand for?

Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

Should ice be applied directly to a burn?

No. Cool running water is preferred; direct ice should be avoided.

Should anything be placed inside the mouth during a seizure?

No. Do not put objects, food or fluids into the mouth during a seizure.

What does FAST stand for?

Face, Arms, Speech and Time.

What is the first aid for snakebite?

Keep the person calm, limit unnecessary movement and arrange urgent medical care. Do not cut or suck the bite.

Should vomiting be induced after poisoning?

Not routinely. Follow instructions from an appropriate poison expert or healthcare professional.

What is an AED?

An Automated External Defibrillator analyzes cardiac rhythm and provides a shock when indicated for certain shockable rhythms.

33. First Aid MCQs – NORCET Practice

1. The first priority when approaching an accident scene is:
A. Check pulse
B. Ensure scene safety
C. Give water
D. Apply a bandage

Answer: B. Scene safety protects the rescuer and casualty.

2. ABC stands for:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
B. Airway, Blood, Consciousness
C. Assessment, Breathing, CPR
D. Airway, Brain, Circulation

Answer: A.

3. A key initial action for life-threatening external bleeding is:
A. Give water
B. Apply direct pressure
C. Apply ice
D. Give food

Answer: B.

4. Which should NOT be applied directly to a burn?
A. Cool running water
B. Appropriate clean covering
C. Ice
D. Medical assessment

Answer: C.

5. During a seizure, the appropriate action is:
A. Restrain the person
B. Put a spoon in the mouth
C. Protect the person from injury
D. Force fluids

Answer: C.

6. FAST is used to recognize:
A. Shock
B. Stroke
C. Fracture
D. Burn

Answer: B.

7. Which action is inappropriate in suspected poisoning?
A. Identify the substance if possible
B. Seek expert advice
C. Routinely induce vomiting
D. Ensure safety

Answer: C.

8. Before touching a person after an electrical accident, the priority is:
A. Give water
B. Ensure electrical safety
C. Apply ointment
D. Massage the limbs

Answer: B.

9. Which device analyzes cardiac rhythm and can deliver a shock when indicated?
A. Pulse oximeter
B. Glucometer
C. AED
D. Nebulizer

Answer: C.

10. A person unable to speak or cough effectively during choking may have:
A. Severe airway obstruction
B. Fever
C. Hypertension
D. Hypoglycemia

Answer: A.

11. Current AHA guidance for severe choking in a conscious adult includes:
A. 5 abdominal thrusts only
B. 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts
C. Blind finger sweep
D. Give water

Answer: B.

12. For severe choking in an infant, the recommended sequence includes:
A. Abdominal thrusts only
B. 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts
C. Blind finger sweep
D. Give water

Answer: B.

13. Which action should be avoided during a seizure?
A. Protecting the head
B. Removing hazards
C. Putting an object in the mouth
D. Observing duration

Answer: C.

14. A suspected fracture should generally be:
A. Forcefully straightened
B. Appropriately immobilized
C. Massaged vigorously
D. Heated immediately

Answer: B.

15. A possible sign of shock is:
A. Increased appetite
B. Weakness and altered mental status
C. Improved circulation
D. Increased energy

Answer: B.

16. A suspected stroke requires:
A. Immediate food
B. Delayed observation at home
C. Urgent emergency assessment
D. Forced walking

Answer: C.

17. Which is NOT recommended for snakebite?
A. Keep person calm
B. Arrange medical care
C. Cut and suck the wound
D. Limit unnecessary movement

Answer: C.

18. First aid should be provided:
A. Beyond training
B. Within training and competence
C. Without considering safety
D. Without reassessment

Answer: B.

19. Which is an appropriate first-aid kit item?
A. Sterile gauze
B. Injectable anesthetic
C. Surgical antibiotic reserve
D. General IV medication

Answer: A.

20. Severe new chest pain should be:
A. Ignored
B. Treated as potentially serious and medically assessed urgently
C. Managed with exercise
D. Delayed overnight

Answer: B.

21. Which may indicate anaphylaxis?
A. Facial swelling with breathing difficulty
B. Mild hunger
C. Normal breathing
D. Isolated thirst

Answer: A.

22. In electrical injury, the rescuer should first:
A. Touch the patient
B. Ensure electrical safety
C. Give oral fluids
D. Apply cream

Answer: B.

23. Appropriate positioning for a nosebleed is:
A. Head tilted backward
B. Sitting upright and leaning slightly forward
C. Flat with legs elevated
D. Prone

Answer: B.

24. Chemical eye exposure requires:
A. Rubbing the eye
B. Immediate irrigation
C. Waiting for pain to disappear
D. Applying household oil

Answer: B.

25. During cardiac arrest, an AED should be used:
A. As soon as available and appropriate
B. After 30 minutes
C. Only after hospital admission
D. Never

Answer: A.

26. Which is appropriate during a seizure?
A. Restrain the patient
B. Put an object in the mouth
C. Protect the head
D. Give oral fluids

Answer: C.

27. Reassessment is important because:
A. The condition can change
B. Vital signs never change
C. Treatment is always complete after one action
D. Documentation is unnecessary

Answer: A.

28. Appropriate care for a minor wound includes:
A. Cleaning and appropriate covering
B. Applying soil
C. Scratching the wound
D. Leaving it contaminated

Answer: A.

29. The main purpose of first aid is to:
A. Replace definitive treatment
B. Provide immediate appropriate care until further help is available
C. Perform surgery
D. Diagnose every disease

Answer: B.

30. The best overall principle of first aid is:
A. Act rapidly but safely and appropriately
B. Always give medication
C. Always move the casualty
D. Ignore personal safety

Answer: A.

34. First Aid Quick Revision

🚑 SAFE → ASSESS → CALL → CARE → REASSESS

Situation	Remember
Scene	Safety first
Assessment	ABC + life-threatening bleeding
Bleeding	Direct pressure
Burn	Cool running water; no direct ice
Fracture	Protect and immobilize; don't force alignment
Seizure	Protect; don't restrain; nothing in mouth
Stroke	FAST + emergency care
Choking	5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts for conscious adults/children
Infant choking	5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts
Cardiac arrest	CPR + AED
Snakebite	No cutting/sucking; urgent medical care
Poisoning	Do not routinely induce vomiting
Electrical injury	Power safety before touching casualty

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Educational Disclaimer:

This article is created for educational purposes for nursing and medical students. First-aid interventions should be performed according to current training, local emergency protocols, institutional policies and the responder's level of competence. Serious illness or injury requires prompt professional medical evaluation.

Original Content & Visuals:

The written content and visual elements in this HTML are newly created for educational use and do not intentionally reproduce text or images from a third-party website, textbook or stock-image library.