Questions: First Aid Basics: Cuts, Burns, and Choking

Question 1

A classmate burns their hand by touching a hot pan. What is the correct first aid response?

• A. Apply butter or oil to the burn to cool it down
• B. Put ice directly on the burn
• C. Hold the burn under cool (not cold) running water for at least 10 minutes, then cover loosely with a clean bandage
• D. Pop any blisters that form and apply antiseptic

Answer: (C)

Cool running water is the gold standard for burn first aid. It removes heat from the tissue, reduces pain, and limits the severity of the burn. Run cool (not ice-cold) water over the burn for at least 10 minutes, then cover loosely with a clean, non-stick bandage. Butter or oil traps heat and worsens the burn. Ice is too cold and can damage tissue. Blisters should never be popped as they protect the healing skin underneath from infection.

Question 2

During a nosebleed, you should tilt your head back to stop the blood from dripping.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Tilting your head back during a nosebleed sends blood down the throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, or choking. The correct technique is to lean slightly forward, pinch the soft part of the nose firmly, and hold for 10-15 minutes without releasing. Leaning forward lets the blood drain out rather than down the throat, while pinching applies pressure to the blood vessels inside the nose to help them clot.

Question 3

Why is it important to clean even a small cut before covering it with a bandage?

Model answer: Even a small cut creates an opening in the skin barrier through which bacteria can enter the body. Cleaning the wound with soap and water removes bacteria and debris that could cause infection. Since you've learned that many bacteria live on skin surfaces and in the environment, removing them before sealing the wound with a bandage prevents them from being trapped inside where they can multiply.

This connects directly to the germs and disease prevention topics. The skin is a barrier that keeps pathogens out. A cut breaches that barrier. Cleaning removes pathogens before the wound is covered, while antibiotic ointment adds an extra layer of protection. An infected wound can become much more serious than the original cut, so proper cleaning is the most important step in minor wound care.