FDLE First Aid Questions with Complete
Solutions
(page 42-43) MEDICAL ALERT
You may have a patient who wears an identification bracelet or necklace, carries a card in their
wallet, or has a medical alert tattoo that alerts you to a specific medical condition, such as an
allergy, epilepsy, or diabetes. On the jewelry or card, you may find a telephone number to call for
detailed information about the patient. This bracelet, necklace, or card is known as a medical
alert. If the patient can gain access to their phone, ask them for the name of their ICE (In Case of
Emergency) contact person who may be able to provide medical alert information.
(page 43) MEDICAL ALERT
Be aware that the medical emergency you are responding to and what the patient is experiencing
may not always be related to the medical condition on the medical alert. For example, if the
patient's medical alert indicates that they are diabetic and the patient is experiencing seizure-like
symptoms, do not assume that the patient is experiencing a seizure related to diabetes. They
could be experiencing a stroke, or could have head trauma resulting in seizure.
(page 43)
,Be careful when discussing a case with anyone to avoid unintentionally providing protected
health information about the patient. HIPAA
A patient's privacy, medical history, condition, and health-care treatment is, by law, confidential
information. The patient or a legal guardian must sign a written release before the release of any
medical information, except when relaying information to EMS. The Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the rights of patients and the release of
patient information. Do not release patient health information without a patient signature unless
another health-care provider needs patient information to continue medical care or you receive a
request to provide patient information as part of a criminal investigation, such as child abuse,
elder abuse, or spouse abuse. If you make the report in good faith, related laws often grant
immunity from liability for libel, slander, or defamation of character. A legal subpoena may
require you to provide patient information in court.
(page 43) SCENE EVIDENCE
You may respond to a call that could be both a crime scene and a medical emergency. Examples
may include any scene involving suicide, homicide, suspected drug overdose, domestic dispute,
abuse, hit-andrun, or robbery. Additionally, any scene involving battery, gunfire, or a weapon,
can potentially be a crime scene and medical emergency. Remember that any item on the scene
may be evidence. If you suspect sexual assault or battery, advise the person not to bathe or wash.
Explain the importance of preserving evidence. Always show empathy to a victim, as they have
just undergone a traumatic event.
,(page 44) PATIENT CONSULTATION
When responding to a crisis or medical emergency, effective communication helps you get
needed information and provides reassurance to patients, their families, and bystanders. By
responding in a calm, caring, and polite way, you convey a sense of confidence and assurance to
those around you. When interacting with an emotional patient, family member, or bystander,
redirect the conversation to divert their attention. Recognize the person's worries or focus their
attention on the immediate situation or a meaningful task. At the same time, do not let yourself
get distracted during these interactions and remember to stay focused on treating the patient.
(page 44) PATIENT WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
You may need to help or render first-aid care to patients who have functional needs or require
special considerations. To provide effective emergency first aid to these patients, be aware of
their functional needs and disabilities. Take appropriate steps to ensure that communication with
patients with disabilities is as effective as communication with patients without disabilities.
(page 44) PATIENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LIMITED VISION
When initially surveying the scene, be alert to signs indicating that the patient is blind or has
limited vision. Clues include eyeglasses, a collapsible white cane with a red tip, or a guide dog.
If you are unsure, ask the patient if they have limited vision. Although people learn to
compensate for limited vision by using other senses, an accident or emergency can cause
disorientation. Speak to the patient and provide information about the surroundings. Clearly
, describe what you will do before you provide care. A patient with a guide dog may be more
concerned about the dog than their own situation. If possible, keep the patient and the dog
together. Let the patient direct the dog or tell you how to manage the dog. Remember that most
guide dogs are protective. Taking charge of or handling the guide dog without the patient's
direction can confuse the dog.
(page 44-45) PATIENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
At the scene of emergency, it may not always be obvious at first when a patient is deaf, hard of
hearing, or suffering from temporary hearing loss. Sometimes the patient may indicate to you
that they are deaf or specify that they have a hard time hearing. People who are deaf or hard of
hearing use a variety of ways to communicate, and your method of communication may vary
depending on the abilities and preferences of the person. In general, the patient has the right to
choose their preferred method of communication.
(page 45) PATIENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
When providing care to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, attempt to get the patient's
attention before communicating (e.g. a gentle tap on the shoulder or hand wave). Identify
yourself and show your identification. Face the patient directly when you are communicating.
Speak slowly and clearly if you are relying on speech. Make sure you are understood by the
patient if you are using writing (sign language grammar may be different from written English).
Continue to keep the patient informed using whatever method you can reasonably accommodate
Solutions
(page 42-43) MEDICAL ALERT
You may have a patient who wears an identification bracelet or necklace, carries a card in their
wallet, or has a medical alert tattoo that alerts you to a specific medical condition, such as an
allergy, epilepsy, or diabetes. On the jewelry or card, you may find a telephone number to call for
detailed information about the patient. This bracelet, necklace, or card is known as a medical
alert. If the patient can gain access to their phone, ask them for the name of their ICE (In Case of
Emergency) contact person who may be able to provide medical alert information.
(page 43) MEDICAL ALERT
Be aware that the medical emergency you are responding to and what the patient is experiencing
may not always be related to the medical condition on the medical alert. For example, if the
patient's medical alert indicates that they are diabetic and the patient is experiencing seizure-like
symptoms, do not assume that the patient is experiencing a seizure related to diabetes. They
could be experiencing a stroke, or could have head trauma resulting in seizure.
(page 43)
,Be careful when discussing a case with anyone to avoid unintentionally providing protected
health information about the patient. HIPAA
A patient's privacy, medical history, condition, and health-care treatment is, by law, confidential
information. The patient or a legal guardian must sign a written release before the release of any
medical information, except when relaying information to EMS. The Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the rights of patients and the release of
patient information. Do not release patient health information without a patient signature unless
another health-care provider needs patient information to continue medical care or you receive a
request to provide patient information as part of a criminal investigation, such as child abuse,
elder abuse, or spouse abuse. If you make the report in good faith, related laws often grant
immunity from liability for libel, slander, or defamation of character. A legal subpoena may
require you to provide patient information in court.
(page 43) SCENE EVIDENCE
You may respond to a call that could be both a crime scene and a medical emergency. Examples
may include any scene involving suicide, homicide, suspected drug overdose, domestic dispute,
abuse, hit-andrun, or robbery. Additionally, any scene involving battery, gunfire, or a weapon,
can potentially be a crime scene and medical emergency. Remember that any item on the scene
may be evidence. If you suspect sexual assault or battery, advise the person not to bathe or wash.
Explain the importance of preserving evidence. Always show empathy to a victim, as they have
just undergone a traumatic event.
,(page 44) PATIENT CONSULTATION
When responding to a crisis or medical emergency, effective communication helps you get
needed information and provides reassurance to patients, their families, and bystanders. By
responding in a calm, caring, and polite way, you convey a sense of confidence and assurance to
those around you. When interacting with an emotional patient, family member, or bystander,
redirect the conversation to divert their attention. Recognize the person's worries or focus their
attention on the immediate situation or a meaningful task. At the same time, do not let yourself
get distracted during these interactions and remember to stay focused on treating the patient.
(page 44) PATIENT WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
You may need to help or render first-aid care to patients who have functional needs or require
special considerations. To provide effective emergency first aid to these patients, be aware of
their functional needs and disabilities. Take appropriate steps to ensure that communication with
patients with disabilities is as effective as communication with patients without disabilities.
(page 44) PATIENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LIMITED VISION
When initially surveying the scene, be alert to signs indicating that the patient is blind or has
limited vision. Clues include eyeglasses, a collapsible white cane with a red tip, or a guide dog.
If you are unsure, ask the patient if they have limited vision. Although people learn to
compensate for limited vision by using other senses, an accident or emergency can cause
disorientation. Speak to the patient and provide information about the surroundings. Clearly
, describe what you will do before you provide care. A patient with a guide dog may be more
concerned about the dog than their own situation. If possible, keep the patient and the dog
together. Let the patient direct the dog or tell you how to manage the dog. Remember that most
guide dogs are protective. Taking charge of or handling the guide dog without the patient's
direction can confuse the dog.
(page 44-45) PATIENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
At the scene of emergency, it may not always be obvious at first when a patient is deaf, hard of
hearing, or suffering from temporary hearing loss. Sometimes the patient may indicate to you
that they are deaf or specify that they have a hard time hearing. People who are deaf or hard of
hearing use a variety of ways to communicate, and your method of communication may vary
depending on the abilities and preferences of the person. In general, the patient has the right to
choose their preferred method of communication.
(page 45) PATIENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
When providing care to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, attempt to get the patient's
attention before communicating (e.g. a gentle tap on the shoulder or hand wave). Identify
yourself and show your identification. Face the patient directly when you are communicating.
Speak slowly and clearly if you are relying on speech. Make sure you are understood by the
patient if you are using writing (sign language grammar may be different from written English).
Continue to keep the patient informed using whatever method you can reasonably accommodate
