Chapter 19 EMT Quiz
24. Common names for activated charcoal include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. Fructose. B. Actidose. C. LiquiChar. D. InstaChar.
Answer: A. Fructose. Note: all other answers are common names. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
11. Which of the following statements regarding inhaled poisons is correct? A. Lung damage may progress after the patient is removed from the environment. B. Carbon monoxide is very irritating to the upper airway and may cause swelling. C. Burns around the eyes are the most common indication of an inhalation poisoning. D. Chlorine is a colorless and odorless gas that causes hypoxia and pulmonary edema.
Answer: A. Lung damage may progress after the patient is removed from the environment. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 672
36. During your assessment of a 50-year-old male who was found unconscious in an alley, you note that he has slow, shallow respirations; significant bradycardia; facial cyanosis; and pinpoint pupils. As your partner begins assisting the patient's ventilations, he directs your attention to the patient's arms, which have multiple needle tracks on them. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST consistent with: A. a heroin overdose. B. alcohol intoxication. C. a closed head injury. D. an overdose of diazepam (Valium).
Answer: A. a heroin overdose. Note: Heroin is an opioid. S/S of opioid OD are- -Hypoventilation or respiratory arrest -Pinpoint pupils -sedation or coma -hypotension Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 681
17. In general, injected poisons are impossible to dilute or remove because they: A. are usually absorbed quickly into the body. B. are usually fatal within 30 minutes of exposure. C. absorb slowly into the body, despite their potency. D. react with the blood, which increases their toxicity.
Answer: A. are usually absorbed quickly into the body. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 676
37. You and your paramedic partner are caring for a patient who ingested codeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and propoxyphene (Darvon). The patient is unresponsive, his breathing is slow and shallow, and his pulse is slow and weak. Treatment for this patient will include: A. assisted ventilation, naloxone (Narcan), and rapid transport. B. oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask and rapid transport. C. assisted ventilation, flumazenil (Romazicon), and rapid transport. D. oxygen via a nasal cannula, atropine, and rapid transport.
Answer: A. assisted ventilation, naloxone (Narcan), and rapid transport. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 681-682
18. As you enter the residence of a patient who has possibly overdosed, you should: A. be alert for personal hazards. B. look for drug paraphernalia. C. observe the scene for drug bottles. D. quickly gain access to the patient.
Answer: A. be alert for personal hazards. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 676
32. A hypnotic drug is one that: A. induces sleep. B. prevents amnesia. C. increases the pulse. D. increases the senses.
Answer: A. induces sleep. Note: Hypnotic Drug OD S/S: -Slurred speech -Sedation or coma -HypOventilation -HypOtension Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 680
14. Most poisonings occur via the __________ route. A. ingestion B. injection C. inhalation D. absorption
Answer: A. ingestion Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 674
20. You receive a call to a residence where a man found his wife unconscious on the couch. The patient is unresponsive, her respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min, her breathing is shallow, her heart rate is 40 beats/min, and her pulse is weak. The husband hands you an empty bottle of hydrocodone (Vicodin), which was refilled the day before. You should: A. initiate ventilatory assistance. B. contact the poison control center. C. perform a rapid head-to-toe exam. D. apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
Answer: A. initiate ventilatory assistance. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 677
9. A poison that enters the body by __________ is the MOST difficult to treat. A. injection B. ingestion C. inhalation D. absorption
Answer: A. injection. Note: it is difficult to remove or dilute. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 671
44. An overdose on acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, will MOST likely cause: A. liver failure. B. gastric ulcers. C. kidney failure. D. central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Answer: A. liver failure. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 686
27. Before giving activated charcoal, you should: A. obtain approval from medical control. B. have the patient drink a glass of milk. C. mix it with an equal amount of water. D. mix the suspension by stirring the bottle.
Answer: A. obtain approval from medical control. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
3. Heroin is an example of a(n): A. opioid. B. hypnotic. C. cholinergic. D. sympathomimetic.
Answer: A. opioid. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670
22. Airborne substances are diluted with: A. oxygen. B. syrup of ipecac. C. activated charcoal. D. an alkaline antidote.
Answer: A. oxygen. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 678
31. The MOST commonly abused drug in the United States is: A. cocaine. B. alcohol. C. codeine. D. marijuana.
Answer: B. Alcohol Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 680
43. A patient who presents with rapid breathing, nausea and vomiting, ringing in the ears, and a high fever should be suspected of ingesting a significant quantity of: A. cocaine. B. aspirin. C. Tylenol. D. ibuprofen.
Answer: B. aspirin. Note: Aspirin OD s/s: -Nausea -Vomiting -Hyperventilation -Ringing in the ears. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 685
41. You are dispatched to a local nursery for a 39-year-old female who is sick. When you arrive, you find the patient lying on the floor. She is semiconscious, has copious amounts of saliva coming from her mouth, and is incontinent of urine. You quickly feel her pulse and note that it is very slow. Initial management for this patient should include: A. thoroughly suctioning her oropharynx. B. assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device. C. performing a rapid secondary assessment. D. requesting a paramedic to give her atropine.
Answer: B. assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 685
12. Your priority in caring for a patient with a surface contact poisoning is to: A. move the patient to a safe area. B. avoid contaminating yourself. C. decontaminate the patient's skin. D. obtain and maintain a patent airway.
Answer: B. avoid contaminating yourself. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 673
29. After administering activated charcoal to a patient, it is MOST important to: A. call medical control. B. be alert for vomiting. C. reassess the patient's blood pressure. D. document the intervention.
Answer: B. be alert for vomiting. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
16. Activated charcoal is given to patients who have ingested certain substances because it: A. induces vomiting and empties the stomach. B. binds to the substance and prevents absorption. C. decreases absorption of poisons into the lungs. D. is a direct antidote for many toxic substances.
Answer: B. binds to the substance and prevents absorption. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 674
28. The major side effect associated with ingestion of activated charcoal is: A. headache. B. black stools. C. abdominal pain. D. ringing in the ears.
Answer: B. black stools. Note: if patient has ingested a poison that causes nausea, they may vomit and the dose may need to be repeated. Be prepared for vomiting, nausea, and possible airway problems. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
33. When caring for a known alcoholic patient with severe trauma to the chest and abdomen, you should be concerned that: A. delirium tremens (DTs) are commonly induced by physical trauma and can lead to life-threatening seizures. B. internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood's ability to clot. C. long bone fractures are likely because chronic alcohol consumption weakens the structure of the bones. D. signs and symptoms of shock may be masked by the stimulant effects produced by alcohol.
Answer: B. internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood's ability to clot. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 680-681
19. Your unit is dispatched to the county jail for an intoxicated inmate. Upon arrival, you find the patient, a 33-year-old male, lying supine in a jail cell. He is responsive to painful stimuli only and has slow, shallow respirations. You should be MOST concerned that this patient: A. might become violent. B. may vomit and aspirate. C. may experience a seizure. D. is severely hypoglycemic.
Answer: B. may vomit and aspirate. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 677
4. Hypotension, hypoventilation, and pinpoint pupils would be expected following an overdose of: A. ecstasy. B. oxycodone (Percocet). C. amphetamine sulfate (Benzedrine). D. crack cocaine.
Answer: B. oxycodone (Percocet). Oxycodone is an opioid. S/S of Opioid OD -Hypoventilation or respiratory arrest -Pinpoint pupils -sedation or coma -hypotension Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670, 681
2. The EMT's primary responsibility to the patient who has been poisoned is to: A. administer the appropriate antidote. B. recognize that a poisoning occurred. C. administer 25 g of activated charcoal. D. contact poison control immediately.
Answer: B. recognize that a poisoning occurred. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 669
5. Signs and symptoms of a sympathomimetic drug overdose include: A. sedation. B. tachycardia. C. hypotension. D. slurred speech.
Answer: B. tachycardia. Note: All S/S -HypErtension -Tachycardia -Dilated pupils -Agitation or seizures -HypErthermia Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670
23. Activated charcoal administration is contraindicated in patients who have ingested: A. ibuprofen. B. acetaminophen (Tylenol). C. acids or alkalis. D. steroid drugs.
Answer: C. acids or alkalis. Note: other charcoal contraindications are -Decreased LOC -Cannot protect their airway -Unable to swallow Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
26. A 4-year-old male ingested an unknown quantity of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The child's mother states that the ingestion occurred approximately 20 minutes ago. The child is conscious and alert and in no apparent distress. After contacting medical control, you should: A. induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. B. transport the child for definitive care. C. administer up to 25 g of activated charcoal. D. give the child cold milk to absorb the Tylenol
Answer: C. administer up to 25 g of activated charcoal. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 679
34. DTs is a syndrome associated with withdrawal from: A. cocaine. B. opioids. C. alcohol. D. sedatives.
Answer: C. alcohol. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 681
6. Which of the following drugs is NOT a sedative-hypnotic? A. secobarbital (Seconal) B. diazepam (Valium) C. cocaine D. flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
Answer: C. cocaine Note: Cocaine is a sympathomimetic drug. All others are Sedative-Hypnotic Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670
46. A 3-year-old female ingested several leaves from a plant in the living room. The child's mother is not sure what type of plant it is, stating that she bought it simply because it was pretty. After completing your initial assessment of the child, you should: A. administer 25 g of activated charcoal. B. induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. C. contact the regional poison control center. D. immediately transport the child to the hospital.
Answer: C. contact the regional poison control center. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 689
10. The poison control center will be able to provide you with the most information regarding the appropriate treatment for a patient with a drug overdose if the center: A. knows the location of the closest hospital. B. is aware of the patient's age and gender. C. is aware of the substance that is involved. D. knows why the patient overdosed on the drug.
Answer: C. is aware of the substance that is involved. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 671
15. Syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended to treat patients who have ingested a poisonous substance because it: A. has been linked to hypotension. B. does not effectively induce vomiting. C. may result in aspiration of vomitus. D. has toxic effects on the myocardium.
Answer: C. may result in aspiration of vomitus. Note: Syrup of ipecac is used to induce vomiting. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 674
42. Atropine sulfate and pralidoxime chloride are antidotes for: A. lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). B. diphenhydramine (Benadryl). C. nerve gas agents. D. anticholinergic drugs.
Answer: C. nerve gas agents. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 685
38. You respond to a local motel for a young female who was sexually assaulted. The patient is conscious but confused. She tells you that the last thing she remembers was drinking beer at a club with her friends the night before. When she awoke, she was in the bed of the motel room. You should be MOST suspicious that this patient: A. is a heroin abuser. B. is acutely intoxicated. C. was given flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). D. is abusing marijuana.
Answer: C. was given flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 682
25. The usual dose for activated charcoal is up to ______ for a pediatric patient and up to ______ for an adult patient. A. 5 g, 10 g B. 10 g, 20 g C. 12.5 g, 25 g D. 25 g, 50 g
Answer: D. 25 g, 50 g Note: Dosage is 1 gram Activated Charcoal per Kg of bodyweight. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
35. A 49-year-old male presents with confusion, sweating, and visual hallucinations. The patient's wife tells you that he is a heavy drinker and she thinks he had a seizure shortly before your arrival. This patient is MOST likely experiencing: A. acute hypovolemia. B. alcohol intoxication. C. acute schizophrenia. D. DTs.
Answer: D. DTs. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 681
45. Which of the following statements regarding the Salmonella bacterium is correct? A. Refrigeration of food will prevent salmonellosis. B. Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 hours. C. The Salmonella bacterium produces toxins that cause food poisoning. D. The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning.
Answer: D. The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 687
8. Which of the following questions would be of LEAST pertinence during the initial questioning of a patient who ingested a substance? A. How much of the substance was taken? B. How long ago was it taken? C. What type of substance was taken? D. Why was the substance ingested?
Answer: D. Why was the substance ingested? Note: Appropriate questions 1. What Substance did you take 2. When did you take it (or become exposed to it)? 3. How much was taken? 4. What actions have been taken? 5. How much do you weigh? Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670
21. It is MOST important to determine a patient's weight when asking questions pertaining to a toxic ingestion because: A. additional help may be needed at the scene to lift the patient. B. this will allow you to predict if the exposure is lethal. C. this will determine whether or not to give syrup of ipecac. D. activated charcoal is given based on a patient's weight.
Answer: D. activated charcoal is given based on a patient's weight. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 678
39. You respond to a college campus for a young male who is acting strangely. After law enforcement has secured the scene, you enter the patient's dorm room and find him sitting on the edge of the bed; he appears agitated. As you approach him, you note that he has dried blood around both nostrils. He is breathing adequately, his pulse is rapid and irregular, and his blood pressure is 200/110 mm Hg. Treatment for this patient includes: A. requesting a paramedic to administer naloxone (Narcan). B. assisting his ventilations with a bag-mask device. C. asking law enforcement to place handcuffs on the patient. D. attempting to calm him and giving him oxygen if tolerated.
Answer: D. attempting to calm him and giving him oxygen if tolerated. Note: Patient is experiencing signs of a sympathomimetic OD. Do not leave PT unattended and unmonitored. Be ready to provide suction. PT is also at risk for cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and stroke. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 684
7. Your paramedic partner administers atropine to a 49-year-old male with bradycardia. Which of the following side effects would you expect the patient to experience? A. pupillary constriction B. excessive lacrimation C. a fall in blood pressure D. dry mucous membranes
Answer: D. dry mucous membranes. Note: Atropine is a anticholinergic. Side Effects: -Tachycardia -HypErthermia -HypErtension -Dilated pupils -Dry skin and mucous membranes -sedation, agitation, seizures, coma, or delirium -Decreased bowel sounds Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 670
1. Substance abuse is MOST accurately defined as: A. knowingly selling illicit drugs in order to buy more drugs. B. willfully using a therapeutic drug to treat a medical illness. C. unwillingly and unknowingly consuming drugs or alcohol. D. knowingly misusing a substance to produce a desired effect.
Answer: D. knowingly misusing a substance to produce a desired effect. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 669
40. In an apparent suicide attempt, a 19-year-old female ingested a full bottle of amitriptyline (Elavil). At present, she is conscious and alert and states that she swallowed the pills approximately 30 minutes earlier. Her blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, her pulse is 140 beats/min and irregular, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. When transporting this patient, you should be MOST alert for: A. acute respiratory depression. B. a sudden outburst of violence. C. an increase in her blood pressure. D. seizures and cardiac arrhythmias.
Answer: D. seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. Note: Elavil is an antidepressant which is an anticholinergic AND can block the electrical conduction system in the heart leading to the seizures and lethal cardiac arrhythmias. The PT can go from appearing "normal" to seizure and death in 30 mins. Treated in hospital with IV Sodium Bicarbonate so consider ALS backup. Question Type: Critical Thinking Page: 685
13. Phosphorus or elemental sodium should be brushed off of the skin instead of irrigated with water because: A. water makes these chemicals impossible to remove. B. severe swelling will occur when mixed with water. C. this will eliminate the chances of you being exposed. D. these chemicals may ignite upon contact with water.
Answer: D. these chemicals may ignite upon contact with water. Note: Instead of water, brush the chemical off the patient, remove contaminated clothing, and apply a dry dressing to the burn area. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 674
30. A person who routinely misuses a substance and requires increasing amounts to achieve the same effect is experiencing a(n): A. addiction. B. dependence. C. withdrawal. D. tolerance.
Answer: D. tolerance. Question Type: General Knowledge Page: 679
