Emt Ch 21 Toxicology

The correct answer is: Fructose.

Common names for activated charcoal include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. InstaChar. B. LiquiChar. C. Actidose. D. Fructose.

The correct answer is: oxygen.

Airborne substances should be diluted with: Select one: A. oxygen. B. activated charcoal. C. syrup of ipecac. D. an alkaline antidote.

The correct answer is: insert a nasal airway and ventilate with a BVM.

A 25-year-old man overdosed on heroin and is unresponsive. His breathing is slow and shallow and he is bradycardic. He has track marks on both arms. The EMT should: Select one: A. position the patient on his side and transport. B. insert a nasal airway and ventilate with a BVM. C. administer naloxone via the intramuscular route. D. administer naloxone via the intranasal route.

The correct answer is: delirium tremens.

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: Select one: A. delirium tremens. B. acute hypovolemia. C. acute schizophrenia. D. alcohol intoxication.

The correct answer is: tolerance.

A person who routinely misuses a substance and requires increasing amounts to achieve the same effect is experiencing: Select one: A. withdrawal. B. addiction. C. tolerance. D. dependence.

The correct answer is: binds to the substance and prevents absorption.

Activated charcoal is given to patients who have ingested certain substances because it: Select one: A. induces vomiting and empties the stomach. B. is a direct antidote for many toxic substances. C. binds to the substance and prevents absorption. D. decreases absorption of poisons into the lungs.

The correct answer is: aspirin

Activated charcoal may be indicated for a patient who ingested: Select one: A. iron. B. methanol. C. ethanol. D. aspirin.

The correct answer is: be alert for vomiting.

After administering activated charcoal to a patient, it is MOST important to: Select one: A. monitor the patient's BP. B. call medical control. C. be alert for vomiting. D. document the intervention.

The correct answer is: liver failure.

An overdose of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, will MOST likely cause: Select one: A. gastric ulcers. B. kidney failure. C. CNS depression. D. liver failure.

The correct answer is: be alert for personal hazards.

As you enter the residence of a patient who has possibly overdosed, you should: Select one: A. be alert for personal hazards. B. look for drug paraphernalia. C. quickly gain access to the patient. D. observe the scene for drug bottles.

The correct answer is: obtain approval from medical control.

Before giving activated charcoal, you should: Select one: A. have the patient drink a glass of milk. B. mix the suspension by stirring the bottle. C. mix it with an equal amount of water. D. obtain approval from medical control.

The correct answer is: opioid.

Heroin is an example of a(n): Select one: A. sympathomimetic. B. hypnotic. C. opioid. D. cholinergic.

The correct answer is: By changing the normal metabolism of cells or by destroying them

How do poisons typically act to harm the body? Select one: A. By interfering with normal neurologic function B. By causing a slowing of nearly all bodily functions C. By changing the normal metabolism of cells or by destroying them D. By causing burns and damage to either external or internal organs

The correct answer is: oxycodone (Percocet).

Hypotension, hypoventilation, and pinpoint pupils would be expected following an overdose of: Select one: A. oxycodone (Percocet). B. crack cocaine. C. amphetamine sulfate (Benzedrine). D. ecstasy.

The correct answer is: use appropriate personal protective equipment and examine the vomitus for pill fragments or other clues for patient care.

If the victim of a toxicologic emergency vomits, an EMT should _________. Select one: A. use appropriate personal protective equipment and examine the vomitus for pill fragments or other clues for patient care. B. have the patient enclose the vomitus in a container and take it to the emergency department. C. safely dispose of the vomitus as soon as possible and decontaminate the vehicle as necessary. D. not approach the vomitus.

The correct answer is: seizures and cardiac arrhythmias.

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: Select one: A. a sudden outburst of violence. B. seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. C. acute respiratory depression. D. an increase in her blood pressure.

The correct answer is: tachycardia.

Signs and symptoms of a sympathomimetic drug overdose include: Select one: A. slurred speech. B. hypothermia. C. tachycardia. D. hypotension.

The correct answer is: are usually absorbed quickly into the body.

In general, injected poisons are impossible to dilute or remove because they: Select one: A. absorb slowly into the body, despite their potency. B. are usually absorbed quickly into the body. C. react with the blood, which increases their toxicity. D. are usually fatal within 30 minutes of exposure.

The correct answer is: ingestion

Most poisonings occur via the __________ route. Select one: A. inhalation B. absorption C. injection D. ingestion

The correct answer is: injection

Of the four avenues of poisoning, generally ___________ is the most worrisome in terms of treatment to the EMS provider. Select one: A. injection B. absorption C. ingestion D. inhalation

The correct answer is: knowingly misusing a substance to produce a desired effect.

Substance abuse is MOST accurately defined as: Select one: A. unwillingly and unknowingly consuming drugs or alcohol. B. willfully using a therapeutic drug to treat a medical illness. C. knowingly misusing a substance to produce a desired effect. D. knowingly selling illicit drugs in order to buy more drugs.

The correct answer is: black stools.

The major side effect associated with administration of activated charcoal is: Select one: A. headache. B. abdominal pain. C. ringing in the ears. D. black stools.

The correct answer is: is aware of the substance that is involved.

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: Select one: A. knows the location of the closest hospital. B. is aware of the patient's age and gender. C. knows why the patient overdosed on the drug. D. is aware of the substance that is involved.

The correct answer is: safely removing or diluting the poisonous substance

The recommended treatment for absorbed or contact poisons includes _________. Select one: A. transporting the patient to the emergency department with the poisonous substance in place B. safely removing or diluting the poisonous substance C. collecting and transporting the poisonous substance to the emergency department for identification D. neutralizing the poisonous substance with a chemical

The correct answer is: Transport to an emergency department for evaluation

Victims of inhaled poisoning will require which of the following? Select one: A. An oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal device to maintain an airway B. Transport to an emergency department for evaluation C. Suctioning to clear the airway D. Ventilation with a bag-valve mask

The correct answer is: internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood's ability to clot.

When caring for a known alcoholic patient with severe trauma to the chest and abdomen, you should be concerned that: Select one: A. signs and symptoms of shock may be masked by the stimulant effects produced by alcohol. B. long bone fractures are likely because chronic alcohol consumption weakens the structure of the bones. C. delirium tremens (DTs) are commonly induced by physical trauma and can lead to life-threatening seizures. D. internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood's ability to clot.

The correct answer is: Why was the substance ingested?

Which of the following questions would be LEAST pertinent during the initial questioning of a patient who ingested a substance? Select one: A. Why was the substance ingested? B. How long ago was the substance taken? C. What type of substance was taken? D. How much of the substance was taken?

The correct answer is: BP, 200/100 mm Hg; pulse, 150 beats/min

Which of the following sets of vital signs would the EMT MOST likely encounter in a patient with acute cocaine overdose? Select one: A. BP, 200/100 mm Hg; pulse, 150 beats/min B. BP, 60/40 mm Hg; pulse, 140 beats/min C. BP, 190/90 mm Hg; pulse, 40 beats/min D. BP, 180/100 mm Hg; pulse, 50 beats/min

The correct answer is: The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning.

Which of the following statements regarding the Salmonella bacterium is correct? Select one: A. Refrigeration of food will prevent salmonellosis. B. The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning. C. The Salmonella bacterium produces toxins that cause food poisoning. D. Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 hours.

The correct answer is: assisted ventilation and naloxone (Narcan).

You and your paramedic partner are caring for a patient who ingested codeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and hydrocodone (Vicodin). The patient is unresponsive, his breathing is slow and shallow, and his pulse is slow and weak. Treatment for this patient should include: Select one: A. assisted ventilation and naloxone (Narcan). B. assisted ventilation and flumazenil (Romazicon). C. high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. D. oxygen via a nasal cannula and atropine sulfate.

The correct answer is: thoroughly suctioning her oropharynx.

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. Immediate management for this patient should include: Select one: A. performing a rapid secondary assessment. B. requesting a paramedic to give her atropine. C. assisted ventilation with a BVM. D. thoroughly suctioning her oropharynx.

The correct answer is: ventilate her with a BVM.

You receive a call to a residence where a man found his wife unresponsive on the couch. The patient's 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: Select one: A. ventilate her with a BVM. B. perform a rapid head-to-toe exam. C. contact the poison control center. D. apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.

The correct answer is: attempting to calm him and giving him oxygen if tolerated.

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: Select one: A. asking law enforcement to place handcuffs on the patient. B. assisting his ventilations with a bag-valve mask device. C. attempting to calm him and giving him oxygen if tolerated. D. requesting a paramedic to administer naloxone (Narcan).

The correct answer is: Dry mucous membranes

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? Select one: A. Excessive lacrimation B. A fall in blood pressure C. Dry mucous membranes D. Pupillary constriction

The correct answer is: avoid contaminating yourself.

Your priority in caring for a patient with a surface contact poisoning is to: Select one: A. decontaminate the patient's skin. B. avoid contaminating yourself. C. move the patient to a safe area. D. obtain and maintain a patent airway.