Series 4-7a: Diagnosing Injuries and Establishing Priorities for Treatment

The “Diagnosing Injuries and Establishing Priorities for Treatment” section of the Alberta School Bus Knowledge Test assesses a driver’s ability to quickly evaluate injuries and prioritize care in emergency situations.

Alberta School Bus Test - SERIES 4-7a: Diagnosing Injuries and Establishing Priorities for Treatment 1

1 / 30

For severe external bleeding, the first step is to:

Sit the person up

Expose the wound

Give the person water

Apply a cold pack through clothing

2 / 30

Shock is best described as:

Only an emotional reaction

A brief fainting episode with no risk

A broken bone

A loss of circulation often present with injury or illness

3 / 30

After bleeding has stopped, you should:

Apply a bandage to secure the dressing

Remove the dressing to let air in

Massage the area

Lower the limb below heart level

4 / 30

If blood soaks through the first dressing, you should:

Stop pressing on the wound

Add more dressings without removing the first

Remove the soaked dressing and replace it

Apply powder to the wound

5 / 30

After a collision, what should you do before starting treatment?

Determine the number of casualties and severity of injuries

Move all injured people off the road immediately

Give everyone something to drink

Remove seat belts from all casualties

6 / 30

Asking a person to pull in their stomach and blow out again helps you assess for:

Broken ribs

Facial fractures

Stroke

Internal injury or internal bleeding

7 / 30

To bring severe bleeding under control, you should primarily:

Use a tourniquet immediately in all cases

Apply direct, even pressure over the wound

Elevate the opposite limb

Apply ice only

8 / 30

Bandages are used to:

Cool burned areas

Replace dressings completely

Clean wounds

Hold dressings, maintain pressure, support and immobilize

9 / 30

A possible indication of internal bleeding from the lungs is:

Clear mucus

Coughed up frothy blood

Dry cough

Hoarseness

10 / 30

When checking a responsive person, asking “Where does it hurt?” helps you know:

They have no fractures

They are not in shock

Their airway is open and breathing is effective

Their blood pressure is normal

11 / 30

Having a person take a deep breath and cough helps you assess for:

Allergic reaction

Serious chest injury

Head injury

Leg fractures

12 / 30

To check for breathing you should:

Look at the chest, listen and feel for breathing

Check the pulse only

Ask the person to say their name

Shake the person firmly

13 / 30

A major sign that internal bleeding may be present is:

Massive bruising

Sneezing

Mild itching

Runny nose

14 / 30

If there is no response and unconsciousness is suspected, you must remember that:

Unconsciousness is a breathing emergency

Unconsciousness means the heart has stopped

Unconsciousness requires immediate food intake

Unconsciousness always means spinal injury

15 / 30

If breathing is ineffective, you should first:

Give them water

Assess the rate and depth and assist if needed

Cover them with a blanket and wait

Move the person into a sitting position

16 / 30

In the ABC priorities, “A” stands for:

Airway

Alignment

Alertness

Assessment

17 / 30

To open the airway when spinal injury is suspected, use:

Neck extension

Jaw thrust with NO head tilt

Side-lying position

Head-tilt chin-lift

18 / 30

When head, neck, or spinal injuries are suspected, you should:

Make them walk to check leg strength

Sit the person up to help breathing

Not move the person unless there is immediate danger

Turn their head to see if it hurts

19 / 30

In the ABC priorities, “B” stands for:

Bandaging

Burns

Not Breathing

Blood Loss

20 / 30

You should continue artificial respiration until:

Five minutes have passed

The ambulance is more than 30 minutes away

The person opens their eyes

The person breathes unassisted or medical aid takes over

21 / 30

After two slow breaths, if there is a pulse but no breathing, you should:

Continue with artificial respiration

Stop and wait for medical aid

Start full CPR with compressions

Place them in recovery position only

22 / 30

Dressings must be:

Sticky and fluffy to cushion the wound

Made only of cotton wool

Reused if they look clean

Sterile, absorbent, lint free, non-sticky and large enough

23 / 30

In the ABC priorities, “C” primarily refers to:

Circulation – severe bleeding and shock

Chest injuries only

Cardiac medications

Consciousness level

24 / 30

Artificial respiration for a child is given at a rate of:

One breath every ten seconds

Two breaths every ten seconds

One breath every three seconds

One breath every five seconds

25 / 30

If the person is not breathing, the initial action is to:

Give two slow breaths

Give them something to drink

Start chest compressions only

Place them in recovery position immediately

26 / 30

To open the airway when no spinal injury is suspected, use:

Head-tilt chin-lift

Jaw thrust with no head tilt

Shoulder lift

Neck rotation

27 / 30

A “wet check” or rapid body survey is used to detect:

Concussion

Internal organ function

Hidden severe external and internal bleeding

Spinal alignment

28 / 30

When performing artificial respiration, you should pinch the nose and:

Only blow air into the nose

Ensure a good mouth-to-mouth seal

Cover both mouth and nose with your hand

Leave the mouth slightly open

29 / 30

In a multiple-casualty situation, what injuries must you check and treat first?

Fractures only

Minor cuts and bruises

Life-threatening injuries (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)

Emotional distress

30 / 30

Artificial respiration for an adult is given at a rate of:

One breath every two seconds

Two breaths every ten seconds

One breath every five seconds

One breath every ten seconds

Your score is

Candidates are tested on identifying life-threatening conditions, such as severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or unconsciousness, and understanding the importance of treating the most critical injuries first. This section emphasizes the need for calm, clear decision-making and knowing when to call for professional medical assistance. Mastery of these skills ensures that school bus drivers can provide effective initial care, helping to stabilize injured passengers until emergency responders arrive on the scene.