First Aid Practice Test (Ireland) 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 30

   HSE uses FAST to help people spot a stroke. What do the letters stand for?

   • AFood, Allergies, Sleep, Temperature
   • BFace, Arms, Speech, Time
   • CFeet, Ankles, Shins, Thighs
   • DFever, Aches, Sweating, Tiredness
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Face, Arms, Speech, Time

   FAST: Face, Arms, Speech and Time to act.

2. Question 2 of 30

   In the FAST arm test, what do you ask the patient to do?

   • AMake a tight fist with one hand and hold it for 10 seconds
   • BClap their hands together 10 times
   • CTouch their toes without bending the knees
   • DRaise both arms and hold them up for 5 seconds
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Raise both arms and hold them up for 5 seconds

   Ask the patient to raise both arms and hold them for 5 seconds. One arm drifting down is a warning sign.

3. Question 3 of 30

   You see stroke signs. What should you do?

   • ALet them sleep
   • BPhone 112 or 999 immediately
   • CGive them a drink
   • DWait an hour to see if it passes
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Phone 112 or 999 immediately

   HSE advice is to phone 112 or 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

4. Question 4 of 30

   Stroke signs appear and then go away after a few minutes. What should happen?

   • ANothing, they are fine now
   • BThey should drive to work
   • CThey should go to bed and rest until the next morning
   • DThe person still needs to go to hospital
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The person still needs to go to hospital

   HSE says that even if the symptoms go away, the person still needs to go to hospital.

5. Question 5 of 30

   A patient has cardiac chest pain. What may a First Aid Responder give?

   • AA sleeping tablet to calm them
   • B300 mg of aspirin, dispersed in water or chewed
   • CTwo paracetamol tablets with water
   • DTwo ibuprofen tablets with food and a glass of water
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 300 mg of aspirin, dispersed in water or chewed

   PHECC: aspirin 300 mg by mouth, dispersed in water or chewed if not dispersible.

6. Question 6 of 30

   Who should NOT be given aspirin for chest pain?

   • AA patient over 60 who takes other daily tablets
   • BA patient who is sweating and feels sick to the stomach
   • CA patient under 16, or one with a known severe reaction to aspirin
   • DA patient who has eaten a meal in the last hour
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A patient under 16, or one with a known severe reaction to aspirin

   Aspirin is not given to patients under 16, or with an active stomach ulcer, a bleeding disorder or a known severe reaction to aspirin.

7. Question 7 of 30

   How should a First Aid Responder treat an asthma attack?

   • ABy giving the patient a hot drink
   • BBy having them run or walk quickly to help clear out their lungs
   • CAs a minor problem that will pass
   • DAs an emergency until proven otherwise, and call 112 or 999
   Show answer

   Answer: D. As an emergency until proven otherwise, and call 112 or 999

   PHECC: treat all asthma attacks as an emergency until proven otherwise.

8. Question 8 of 30

   What should you avoid doing to a patient having an asthma attack?

   • ALetting them sit upright in a chair
   • BLaying them down or putting your arm around them
   • CListening to what they tell you
   • DCalling 112 or 999 for help
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Laying them down or putting your arm around them

   Do not put your arm around the patient or lay them down, as this can make breathing harder.

9. Question 9 of 30

   Which sign shows an asthma attack is life-threatening?

   • AThe patient is talking normally
   • BThe patient asks for water
   • CThe patient cannot finish a sentence in one breath
   • DThe patient is coughing a little
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The patient cannot finish a sentence in one breath

   Being unable to finish sentences, exhaustion, confusion or blue colour are signs of a life-threatening attack.

10. Question 10 of 30

    A patient with anaphylaxis is struggling to breathe but is alert. What position helps?

    • AStanding up and walking slowly around the room
    • BHalf sitting up (semi-recumbent)
    • CUpside down
    • DLying flat face-down
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Half sitting up (semi-recumbent)

    PHECC: place the patient in a semi-recumbent position. If they collapse, lie them flat with the legs raised.

11. Question 11 of 30

    A patient with anaphylaxis collapses. What position should you use?

    • ASitting upright in a chair
    • BLying flat with the legs raised
    • CStanding with support from two people
    • DLying face-down
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Lying flat with the legs raised

    If the patient has collapsed, lie them flat with the legs raised.

12. Question 12 of 30

    A patient with anaphylaxis has their own adrenaline auto-injector. Where is it given?

    • AInto the hand
    • BInto the upper arm, like a vaccination
    • CInto the tummy
    • DInto the outer thigh
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Into the outer thigh

    Adrenaline auto-injectors are given into the outer thigh. Call 112 or 999 as well.

13. Question 13 of 30

    A known diabetic is confused but can swallow. What should you give?

    • ATheir insulin
    • BNothing to eat or drink until the ambulance arrives
    • CA sweetened drink, then reassess after 5 minutes
    • DA diet fizzy drink
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A sweetened drink, then reassess after 5 minutes

    PHECC: give a sweetened drink, wait 5 minutes and reassess.

14. Question 14 of 30

    A diabetic patient does not improve 5 minutes after a sweetened drink. What should you do?

    • AGive insulin
    • BCall 112 or 999
    • CMake them exercise
    • DSend them home
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Call 112 or 999

    If there is no improvement, call 112 or 999.

15. Question 15 of 30

    A diabetic patient improves after a sweetened drink. What should you advise next?

    • ATake an extra dose of their insulin
    • BEat a carbohydrate meal, such as a sandwich
    • CGo for a long run to use the sugar
    • DSkip the next meal to keep sugar low
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Eat a carbohydrate meal, such as a sandwich

    Once they improve, advise a carbohydrate meal to keep blood sugar up.

16. Question 16 of 30

    A patient is having a seizure. What should you do?

    • AProtect them from harm and support their head
    • BPour water on their face
    • CPut something between their teeth so they cannot bite
    • DHold their arms and legs down
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Protect them from harm and support their head

    Protect the patient from harm and support the head. Do not restrain them.

17. Question 17 of 30

    A patient has taken an overdose of tablets. What should you look for and give to the ambulance crew?

    • AA glass of salt water to make the patient vomit
    • BNothing, it is not needed
    • CThe patient's shopping receipt
    • DThe tablet container or packet
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The tablet container or packet

    Locate the container and hand it over so the crew knows what was taken.

18. Question 18 of 30

    A patient has a heat-related emergency and is alert. What should you do?

    • AWrap them in warm blankets so they sweat the heat out
    • BMove them from the heat, give cool fluids and cool them by fanning or sponging
    • CLeave them resting in the sun on a lounger to recover
    • DGive them a hot drink to replace the fluids they lost
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Move them from the heat, give cool fluids and cool them by fanning or sponging

    Remove from heat, give cool fluids if alert, and cool by removing clothing, fanning or tepid sponging.

19. Question 19 of 30

    How should you handle a patient with hypothermia?

    • AMake them jog to warm up
    • BRub their arms and legs hard
    • CPut them in a hot bath to warm them up quickly
    • DGently, without letting them walk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Gently, without letting them walk

    Handle a hypothermic patient gently and do not let them walk.

20. Question 20 of 30

    How should you warm a hypothermic patient?

    • AGive them a small drink of alcohol to warm up
    • BFan them with air so they dry off faster
    • CKeep their wet clothes on and rub their arms
    • DRemove wet clothing and wrap them in dry blankets with an outer layer
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Remove wet clothing and wrap them in dry blankets with an outer layer

    Remove wet clothing, protect from wind chill and wrap in dry blankets or a sleeping bag with an outer insulating layer.

21. Question 21 of 30

    A hypothermic patient is alert and can swallow. What drink can you give?

    • AIced water
    • BAlcohol
    • CNothing at all, not even water
    • DA hot sweet drink
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A hot sweet drink

    PHECC: give hot sweet drinks if the patient is alert and able to swallow.

22. Question 22 of 30

    A person was rescued from the water and now seems well. What should happen?

    • AThey should still go to the emergency department to be checked
    • BThey should go to bed and sleep it off
    • CThey should go for a short swim to warm up
    • DThey can go home straight away if they feel fine
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They should still go to the emergency department to be checked

    Anyone involved in a submersion incident should be assessed in an emergency department, however well they seem.

23. Question 23 of 30

    You are not sure whether a patient has a spinal injury. How should you treat them?

    • ABy gently moving their neck to test for pain
    • BAs if they do have a spinal injury
    • CBy asking them to stand up
    • DAs if they do not
    Show answer

    Answer: B. As if they do have a spinal injury

    If in doubt, treat as a spinal injury.

24. Question 24 of 30

    A conscious patient may have a spinal injury but is agitated and trying to move. What should you do?

    • ATie them to a board or a door
    • BHelp them stand and walk around slowly
    • CHold them down firmly so they cannot move
    • DAdvise them to keep still, and do not forcibly restrain them
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Advise them to keep still, and do not forcibly restrain them

    Use passive spinal motion restriction: encourage stillness in a comfortable position, without forcible restraint.

25. Question 25 of 30

    How should you support a limb with a suspected fracture?

    • AIn the position you found it, with a splint or sling
    • BRub it hard to ease the pain
    • CAsk the patient to move it to check it
    • DStraighten it first, then support it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In the position you found it, with a splint or sling

    Splint or support the limb in the position found.

26. Question 26 of 30

    In PHECC FAR care for limb injuries, what does RICE stand for?

    • ARest, Ice, Compression, Exercise
    • BRun, Ice, Cover, Elevate
    • CRest, Cooling, Compression, Elevation
    • DRest, Immobilise, Cover, Exercise gently
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Rest, Cooling, Compression, Elevation

    PHECC changed "Ice" to "Cooling" in its limb injury guideline.

27. Question 27 of 30

    Which body issues the First Aid Response (FAR) certificate and sets the clinical practice guidelines for responders in Ireland?

    • AThe Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC)
    • BThe Road Safety Authority (RSA)
    • CThe Revenue Commissioners, through the workplace tax system
    • DThe Department of Transport
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC)

    FAR is a PHECC certificate, and PHECC publishes the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for First Aid Response.

28. Question 28 of 30

    How long is a PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) certificate valid?

    • ATwo years
    • BFor life
    • COne year
    • DFive years
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Two years

    A FAR certificate is valid for two years. A refresher course must be done before it expires.

29. Question 29 of 30

    Which course did First Aid Response (FAR) replace for workplace first aiders?

    • AThe driving theory test
    • BThe Safe Pass course
    • CThe Occupational First Aid (OFA) course
    • DThe manual handling and back care course
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Occupational First Aid (OFA) course

    FAR replaced the former Occupational First Aid (OFA) course and is recognised by the Health and Safety Authority.

30. Question 30 of 30

    How is a First Aid Response course assessed?

    • AWith a long written essay only, which the tutor marks at home later
    • BWith a practical driving test
    • CWith a practical skills assessment and a multiple-choice exam
    • DWith no assessment, just attendance
    Show answer

    Answer: C. With a practical skills assessment and a multiple-choice exam

    FAR learners are assessed on practical skills and with a multiple-choice question exam.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No single government exam. The course provider runs the skills assessment and multiple-choice exam. The certificate is valid for two years.