American Lifeguard Practice Exam

During an initial assessment of a potential injury, which of the following should NOT be checked?

1. Swelling

2. Breathing

3. Pulse

4. Consciousness

The correct answer is: Swelling

In an initial assessment of a potential injury, the primary focus is on life-threatening conditions and ensuring that the individual is stable. The correct approach involves checking for vital signs and responsiveness first. Swelling, while it may be an important indicator of an injury, typically can be assessed after ensuring that the person's airway, breathing, and circulation are intact. In situations where there may be a critical injury, such as a spinal injury or severe trauma, ensuring the individual is breathing properly, has a pulse, and is responsive is paramount. These checks help establish whether immediate interventions are required to secure the individual's life, rather than focusing initially on minor symptoms like swelling. Vital signs like breathing and pulse are essential to ascertain the individual's condition and detect any immediate threats to life. Consciousness is also crucial to determine the individual’s responsiveness and likelihood of potential complications. Therefore, although swelling is an important aspect to consider later in the assessment, it should not be prioritized in the initial evaluation compared to breathing, pulse, and consciousness checks.