Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist (EXW) Practice Test

What are the three primary purposes of First Aid?

1. To save life, prevent further injury, minimize infection

2. Get help immediately, prevent loss of life, Stop blood loss

3. Airway, Breathing, Circulation

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: To save life, prevent further injury, minimize infection

The three primary purposes of First Aid are to save life, prevent further injury, and minimize infection. These objectives are foundational to effective first aid practice and highlight the importance of immediate response in emergency situations. Saving life is the foremost objective of first aid, which involves actions like performing CPR or using an AED when someone is in cardiac arrest. The priority is to restore vital functions and ensure the well-being of the victim. Preventing further injury is crucial as it involves stabilizing the person and their injuries to avoid exacerbating the situation. This could mean adjusting their position to avoid further harm or controlling the environment around them. Minimizing infection is also vital, particularly in cases of open wounds or potential exposure to pathogens. This is done by cleaning the wound, applying appropriate dressings, and monitoring for signs of infection, which protects the victim in the long term. Other options, while related to first aid, do not encompass the broad scope of its primary purposes. For instance, getting help immediately is indeed important but is not emphasized as a primary purpose in the context of first aid itself. Similarly, while airway, breathing, and circulation are critical components of emergency care, they are more specific procedures rather than overarching purposes.