American Lifeguard Practice Exam

In a scenario where multiple children are injured, which child should receive immediate care?

1. Child with a bleeding lip

2. Child with scraped knees

3. Conscious child with no visible injuries

4. Unconscious child

The correct answer is: Unconscious child

In a situation where multiple children are injured, the child who is unconscious should receive immediate care due to the potential severity of their condition. Unconsciousness can signify a serious underlying problem, such as head injury, respiratory or cardiac issues, which could quickly escalate into life-threatening scenarios. Immediate assessment and intervention are crucial in such cases to ensure that the airway is clear, breathing is adequate, and circulation is stable. While the other options involve injuries that require attention—such as the bleeding lip and scraped knees—these conditions are generally not life-threatening when compared to the potential risks associated with unconsciousness. The conscious child with no visible injuries may also appear stable; however, without further evaluation, internal injuries could be present. Prioritizing the care of the unconscious child aligns with the principles of triage, where life-threatening conditions are addressed first to increase the chances of survival and recovery.