Free Practice Questions for SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2)

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Key Facts: SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) Exam

70%

Passing Score

SAMSA Regulations

3 hours

Time Limit

Exam Regulations

R 2,500

Exam Fee

SAMSA Accredited Centres

Prepare for the SAMSA / STCW Section A-VI/4-2 Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship exam. Note: Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA medical care certification.

Sample SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When initiating a request for Telemedical Maritime Advice Service (TMAS) via maritime satellite or radio, which publication provides the standardized format and medical symptom reporting structure recommended internationally?

A.SAMSA Deck Logbook Code of Conduct

B.International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS) / IMO Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG)

C.SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 12 Manual

D.Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) Engine Section

Explanation: The International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS), together with the IMO MFAG, provides standard medical consultation forms and structured symptom reporting frameworks. These standards ensure maritime officers transmit accurate clinical data to TMAS physicians via radio or satellite communications.

2Under STCW Section A-VI/4-2 standards, what is the primary duty of the designated shipboard medical care officer when consulting TMAS?

A.To provide accurate clinical observations, vital signs, and patient history to assist the remote physician

B.To perform complex surgical operations immediately before receiving TMAS authorization

C.To transfer all legal liability for patient care directly to the TMAS doctor

D.To demand immediate helicopter evacuation regardless of the patient's medical urgency

Explanation: The shipboard medical care officer acts as the eyes and ears of the TMAS doctor. Their primary responsibility is to gather comprehensive patient history, perform physical examinations, measure vital signs, and report these findings accurately so the doctor can make an informed diagnosis.

3In accordance with IMGS recommendations, what vital signs MUST be measured and recorded prior to transmitting a radio medical advice message for an acute abdominal casualty?

A.Blood glucose level and patient height only

B.Skin color and pupillary light reaction only

C.Pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, and abdominal palpation findings

D.Urine specific gravity and ECG lead II only

Explanation: A complete set of baseline vital signs—pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate, temperature—along with systematic abdominal examination findings (tenderness, rigidity, bowel sounds) is essential for TMAS physicians to evaluate acute abdominal conditions such as appendicitis or peritonitis.

4What international radiotelephony priority signal is used to prefix an urgent message requesting medical advice via maritime radio (VHF Ch 16 / MF 2182 kHz)?

A.MAYDAY MAYDAY

B.SECURITE SECURITE

C.MEDEVAC ONLY

D.PAN PAN MEDICO

Explanation: PAN PAN MEDICO is the recognized international urgency signal used in maritime radiotelephony when requesting urgent medical advice or transport for a casualty who does not face immediate grave distress.

5When consulting TMAS regarding a seafarer presenting with chest pain, which clinical presentation strongly suggests acute myocardial infarction requiring urgent evacuation consideration?

A.Sharp chest pain that increases upon deep inspiration

B.Crushing retrosternal pain radiating to the left arm or jaw accompanied by diaphoresis and dyspnea

C.Mild localized chest wall tenderness elicited by pressing on the ribs

D.Epigastric burning pain relieved immediately by oral antacids

Explanation: Crushing retrosternal chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, or jaw, accompanied by profuse sweating (diaphoresis), shortness of breath, and nausea, is the classic presentation of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

6What is the primary function of the WHO/IMO International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS) on board commercial vessels?

A.To serve as the definitive reference guide for diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and treatment by non-physician maritime officers

B.To replace all shore-based hospital consultations during coastal voyages

C.To provide legal defense guidelines for shipowners in crew compensation claims

D.To detail navigation regulations for vessels carrying dangerous chemicals

Explanation: The IMGS is designed specifically to help shipmasters and designated medical officers assess, treat, and manage sick or injured seafarers at sea when a doctor is not physically present.

7A seafarer suffers a severe chemical splash to the eyes from an industrial solvent on board. Which guide should be consulted immediately alongside the IMGS for specific antidote and flushing instructions?

A.IMDG Code Annex II

B.MARPOL Annex VI Manual

C.IMO Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG)

D.SAMSA Code of Maritime Security

Explanation: The IMO MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods) provides specific emergency treatment protocols, chemical tables, and antidote advice for chemical exposures at sea.

8When presenting a medical case to a TMAS physician over satellite radio, which structured clinical communication framework is recommended to ensure clear and concise reporting?

A.APGAR scoring system

B.Glasgow Coma Scale only

C.SART search pattern protocol

D.ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)

Explanation: ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a standardized healthcare communication framework used to transfer critical patient information efficiently during telemedicine consultations.

9How frequently should the shipboard medical logbook be updated when caring for a critically ill patient awaiting medevac?

A.Once every 24 hours at midnight

B.Continuously or at regular intervals (e.g., every 15 to 30 minutes) whenever vital signs or clinical status change

C.Only when the patient requests food or water

D.Only upon handing the patient over to shore paramedics

Explanation: Critical patients require frequent re-evaluation (every 15 to 30 minutes or immediately upon clinical deterioration). All vital signs, administered treatments, and patient responses must be logged in real time.

10If TMAS recommends administering a prescription antibiotic from the ship's medical chest that is not listed in standing vessel orders, what action MUST the medical officer take?

A.Record the TMAS doctor's name, authorization time, exact dosage, and administration route in the official medical log

B.Refuse to give the medication under any circumstances

C.Administer double the recommended dose to ensure fast recovery

D.Wait until the vessel arrives at the next port before starting therapy

Explanation: When TMAS prescribes a non-standing medication, the medical officer must document the doctor's identity, timestamp, dosage, route, and clinical rationale in the vessel's official medical log before administering the drug.

About the SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) Exam

Comprehensive practice question bank for the SAMSA / STCW Section A-VI/4-2 Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship. Note: Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA medical care certification.

Exam sponsor: South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

R 2,500

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 75%. Passing rates are regulated under SAMSA Code of Maritime Qualifications. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

International Medical Guide for Ships & TMAS Medical Advice

International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS), Telemedical Maritime Advice Service (TMAS), radio medical consultation, and maritime clinical decision-making.

25%

Advanced Medical Care, Surgical/Suturing & Wound Management

Advanced clinical care, surgical suturing techniques, sterile field preparation, wound debridement, and local anesthesia.

25%

Controlled Drugs, Pharmacology & Medical Chest Maintenance

Shipboard medical chest scales A/B/C, controlled drug logbooks, narcotic security, pharmacology, and drug administration.

25%

Infectious Disease Isolation, Trauma Care & Death at Sea

Quarantine procedures, body isolation, handling death at sea, spinal immobilization, hypothermia, and severe emergency trauma care.

Preparing for the SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: R 2,500 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
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SAMSA Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2): Suggested Study Strategy

1Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the structure and coding system of the International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS).

2Memorize standard procedures for Telemedical Maritime Advice Service (TMAS) patient presentation (VHF/MF radio and satellite communications).

3Understand legal recordkeeping requirements for controlled substances in the ship's Dangerous Drug Register.

4Review surgical aseptic techniques, suture selection (absorbable vs. non-absorbable), and local anesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scope of the SAMSA COP in Medical Care On Board Ship?

This certification fulfills STCW Section A-VI/4-2 standards for seafarers designated to take charge of medical care on board merchant vessels, covering clinical diagnosis, medical chest administration, TMAS consultations, and surgical wound care.

What is the format and passing score for the SAMSA Medical Care exam?

The examination requires a 70% passing grade over a 3-hour assessment testing theoretical and practical maritime medical knowledge.

Are these 100 practice questions officially endorsed by SAMSA?

No. Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA medical care certification designed to aid exam revision based on STCW Code Table A-VI/4-2 and the International Medical Guide for Ships.