Written Lifeguarding Practice Test

When providing care during an emergency, which of the following should you do first?

1. Complete a primary assessment

2. Conduct a secondary assessment

3. Provide care for the patient's symptoms

4. Identify the patient's history

The correct answer is: Complete a primary assessment

During an emergency, it is crucial to provide quick and efficient care in order to save someone's life. In order to do so, you must first complete a primary assessment, which involves checking for any life-threatening issues such as airway obstruction, breathing problems, or severe bleeding. This should always be the first step, as treating these issues can prevent the situation from becoming worse and allow you to focus on other injuries or symptoms. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they involve steps that come after completing the primary assessment and addressing any immediate life-threatening issues. Conducting a secondary assessment, providing care for symptoms, and identifying a patient's history are all important steps in caring for a patient, but they should be done after completing the primary assessment and addressing any life-threatening issues. Thus, completing a primary assessment should always be the first step when providing care during an emergency.