Asthma
What part of the body does asthma affect?
The airways in the lungs.
What is anaphylaxis?
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
What emergency number do you call for an ambulance in Australia?
000
What does UV stand for?
Ultraviolet.
What are the FIVE SunSmart steps?
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
Name THREE symptoms of an asthma attack.
Wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
Name THREE possible triggers of anaphylaxis.
Peanuts, shellfish, bee stings
A student starts coughing and wheezing during PE. Name TWO things you should do.
Stop the activity and alert a teacher. Help the student sit upright and follow asthma first aid.
At what UV Index level is sun protection recommended in Australia?
UV Index 3 or above.
What does SPF stand for?
Sun Protection Factor.
What THREE changes happen inside the airways during an asthma attack?
The airways become swollen, tighten and produce extra mucus.
Name THREE symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, and dizziness or collapse.
Your friend has a severe allergic reaction at school. Why should you stay with them instead of sending them to the sick bay alone?
Their condition could worsen quickly. Staying with them allows you to monitor their condition and provide support while emergency help arrives.
Why can you still get sunburnt on a cold or cloudy day?
UV radiation is not determined by temperature, and UV rays can pass through clouds and damage your skin.
Why should you reapply sunscreen after swimming, even if it is labelled water-resistant?
Water-resistant sunscreen is not waterproof. Swimming and towel-drying can remove sunscreen, reducing protection against UV radiation.
Explain the 4 × 4 × 4 asthma first-aid method.
Give 4 separate puffs of a blue/grey reliever through a spacer, with 4 breaths after each puff. Wait 4 minutes. If there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs and follow emergency first-aid instructions.
What medication is used to treat anaphylaxis, and where is an EpiPen administered?
Adrenaline, injected into the outer middle thigh.
Explain the steps for using an EpiPen during an anaphylactic emergency.
Remove the blue safety release, press the orange end firmly against the outer middle thigh until it clicks, and hold for 3 seconds. Follow the device instructions and ASCIA Action Plan.
Explain how repeated exposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells. Over time, this damage can build up and increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.
A student says, "I already have a tan, so I don't need sunscreen anymore." Explain why this statement is incorrect.
A tan is a sign that UV radiation has already damaged the skin. Having a tan does not provide enough protection against further UV damage or skin cancer.
A student is wheezing, struggling to speak and their lips are turning blue. Why is this an emergency, and what should you do?
These are signs of a severe asthma attack. Call 000 immediately, alert a teacher, help the student sit upright and follow asthma first aid.
A student develops hives, throat swelling and difficulty breathing after eating something. Why must you act immediately rather than wait for the symptoms to disappear?
Anaphylaxis can become life-threatening very quickly. Give adrenaline immediately, call 000 and follow the student's ASCIA Action Plan.
Two students are having difficulty breathing. One is experiencing an asthma attack, and the other is experiencing anaphylaxis. Explain TWO differences in their first-aid treatment.
Asthma is treated using asthma reliever medication, with the person sitting upright. Anaphylaxis requires immediate adrenaline and calling 000. The person should lie flat or sit with their legs outstretched if breathing is difficult, and must not stand or walk.
Two people spend the same amount of time outdoors when the UV Index is 10. One person gets sunburnt, while the other does not. Does this mean the second person experienced no UV damage? Explain your answer.
No. UV radiation can damage skin cells even without visible sunburn. Different skin types react differently to UV exposure, but everyone can experience UV damage.
A student applies SPF50+ sunscreen before spending three hours at the beach on a day when the UV Index is 11. Explain why sunscreen alone is not enough and identify THREE additional ways they could protect themselves.
Sunscreen does not block 100% of UV radiation and can wear off over time. The student should also wear protective clothing, wear a broad-brimmed hat and seek shade. They should also wear UV-protective sunglasses and reapply sunscreen regularly.