Medical English - Giving instructions (Imperatives)

Someone fainted and looks pale. What should you do first?

• Raise the person's legs higher than their chest.

• Ask them to run for a minute.

• Give them hot coffee immediately.

• Lower their legs to the floor.

The room is cold and the injured person is shivering. What’s the best instruction?

• Open the window to let in fresh air.

• Cover the person with a blanket or any warm item.

• Pour cold water to wake them up.

• Leave them uncovered so they don’t overheat.

You are starting chest compressions. Which action is correct?

• Rub the chest lightly.

• Push down on the chest.

• Press only on the abdomen.

• Just wait for help without touching.

You see a head wound that won’t stop bleeding. Choose the best instruction.

• Press on the throat to slow the blood.

• Ask the person to look up without support.

• Tilt the head back and remove all dressings.

• Hold the head and wrap the bandage.

There’s heavy bleeding from a leg cut. What should a helper do?

• Lift the leg carefully and wrap the bandage.

• Cover the person with a blanket or any warm item.

• Remove all bandages to let it breathe.

• Ignore the bleeding and wait.

You need to give rescue breaths. What is the instruction?

• Tap the cheeks and shout.

• Pour a small amount of water into the mouth.

• Whisper calming words into the ear.

• Blow into the patient’s mouth.

How should your hands be positioned for compressions?

• Spread your fingers and press the neck.

• Put two hands together and push just below the chest.

• Use one finger to poke the chest.

• Place hands on the lower belly and push.

There’s an active fire nearby. What should you do with the injured person?

• Move the person closer to the fire for warmth.

• Leave the person where they are and argue with bystanders.

• Carry the person away from danger.

• Wait until the fire is bigger before moving them.

An arm has a deep cut that’s bleeding. What should you do?

• Wave the arm quickly to stop the blood.

• Remove clothing and wait for it to clot.

• Lift the arm and wrap the bandage around.

• Tie the bandage loosely without lifting the arm.

You call the person, but there’s no response. What’s the instruction?

• If the person does not answer, call 911.

• Remove clothing and wait for it to clot.

• Lift the arm and wrap the bandage around.

• Tie the bandage loosely without lifting the arm.