first aid

Anatomy & Physiology Practice Test

1. What is anatomy? What is physiology?

  • Anatomy: The study of body structures, including what can be seen with the naked eye (gross anatomy) and what requires a microscope (microscopic anatomy).

  • Physiology: The study of how living organisms function, such as movement and reproduction.

2. What is the difference between flexion and extension?

  • Flexion: Bending movement.

  • Extension: Straightening movement, opposite of flexion.

3. What does “hyper-flexion” or “hyper-extension” mean?

  • Movement beyond the normal position.

4. Describe the anatomical position.

  • Standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

5. What does “supine” and “prone” mean?

  • Supine: Lying on the back, face up.

  • Prone: Lying on the stomach, face down.

6. Name and describe two lateral positions and Fowler’s position.

  • Right/Left lateral recumbent: Lying on the right or left side.

  • Fowler’s position: Lying on the back with the upper body elevated 45–60 degrees.

7. List the five major body cavities and one organ found in each.

  • Cranial: Brain

  • Spinal: Spinal cord

  • Thoracic: Heart/lungs

  • Abdominal: Stomach/liver/kidneys/intestines

  • Pelvic: Bladder

8. What is the basic unit of all living tissue?

  • The cell.

9. What is a tissue? What is an organ?

  • Tissue: Similar cells working together.

  • Organ: Similar tissues working together for a specific function.

10. What are vital organs? Name three.

  • Organs essential to life: Brain, heart, lungs.

11. List two functions of the musculoskeletal system.

  • Supports the body and allows movement (also: protects organs, produces blood cells, stores minerals, creates heat).

12. How many bones does an adult human have?

  • 206 bones.

13. What connects bones at joints? What connects muscles to bones?

  • Ligaments connect bones at joints.

  • Tendons connect muscles to bones.

14. What are the three types of muscles? Give one fact about each.

  • Skeletal (voluntary): Under conscious control, move the body.

  • Smooth (involuntary): Found in organs and blood vessels.

  • Cardiac: Only in the heart, can generate its own impulse.

15. What is the main function of the respiratory system?

  • Bring air into the body and remove carbon dioxide (gas exchange).

16. Name two parts of the upper airway and two parts of the lower airway.

  • Upper airway: Nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx.

  • Lower airway: Trachea, bronchi, lungs, bronchioles, alveoli.

17. What is the main site for gas exchange in the lungs?

  • The alveoli.

18. What happens during inspiration and expiration?

  • Inspiration: Chest expands, diaphragm moves down, air flows in.

  • Expiration: Chest relaxes, diaphragm moves up, air flows out.

19. What is a pathogen? Name one way disease can be transmitted.

  • A pathogen is a bacteria or virus that causes disease. Disease can be transmitted by direct contact (touching infected blood) or indirect contact (touching contaminated objects).

20. What is PPE and why is it important?

  • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment (like gloves, masks, eyewear). It protects you from direct contact with infectious materials.

21. List the three steps of emergency action.

  • CHECK: The scene and the victim.

  • CALL: 9-1-1 or local emergency number.

  • CARE: For the victim until EMS arrives.

22. What should you do if someone refuses care?

  • Do not give care, but call 9-1-1.

23. What is abandonment in first aid?

  • Stopping care without making sure someone else with equal or higher training takes over.

24. Name three reasons you should move a person in an emergency.

  • Immediate danger, need to reach another person, or need to give proper care.

25. What is the main organ of the circulatory system? Name its four chambers.

  • The heart: right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle.

26. List the four main components of blood and their function.

  • Red blood cells: Carry oxygen.

  • White blood cells: Fight infection.

  • Platelets: Help clot blood.

  • Plasma: Carries blood cells and nutrients.

27. What is the difference between arteries and veins?

  • Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart (mostly oxygenated).

  • Veins: Carry blood back to the heart (mostly deoxygenated).

28. What is blood pressure?

  • The force of blood against artery walls, measured as systolic (heart contracts) and diastolic (heart rests) pressure.