Chapter 11 Practice Test

All of the following are nerve agents, except: A. ricin. B. sarin. C. tabun. D. V agent.

A

Activated charcoal not be administered to a patient if: A. the patient is younger than 16 years. B. the patient weighs less than 150 lb (68 kg). C. the patient has ingested a strong acid substance. D. the nearest medical facility is a long distance away.

C

Common early signs of an ingested poison include all of the following, except: A. nausea and vomiting. B. burns around the mouth. C. severe difficulty breathing. D. abdominal pain or diarrhea.

C

Inflammation or redness of the skin, a skin rash, and intense burning and itching are signs of an: A. inhaled poison. B. injected poison. C. absorbed poison. D. ingested poison.

C

Common signs or symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include all of the following, except: A. headache. B. disorientation. C. flulike symptoms. D. severe neck rigidity.

D

It is most important that you never assume that an apparently intoxicated person is drunk because: A. alcoholism is a disease and you must be respectful of the patient. B. people who are alcoholics are extremely sensitive to their disease. C. you will likely be sued if you do so and the patient was not drunk. D. a serious illness or injury can mimic alcohol intoxication.

D

Much of the emergency care you provide to a patient who has been poisoned is based on the: A. route by which the poison entered the body. B. reason why the poisoning incident occurred. C. specific type of poison involved in the incident. D. signs and symptoms the patient is experiencing.

D

Shortly after arriving at the scene of a sick person, you are told that the patient has been exposed to a nerve agent. What should you do? A. Don a mask, gloves, and head cover before approaching the patient. B. Immediately decontaminate the patient before beginning treatment. C. Self-administer a nerve agent antidote and retreat to a safe place. D. Move to a safe place and notify the hazardous materials response team.

D

Which of the following statements regarding nerve agents is correct? A. Anthrax is a nerve agent that can cause death in very small amounts. B. Because of their unique chemical structure, nerve agents can only be inhaled. C. In general, it takes a significant amount of a nerve agent to cause cardiac arrest. D. Nerve agents are much stronger organophosphates than those found in pesticides.

D

While waiting for responding EMTs to arrive at the scene, you are caring for an industrial plant worker who was exposed to dry lime. The patient's arms are covered with lime and he complains of intense pain. You should: A. flush the patient's entire body with large amounts of water and then cover his arms with dry bandages. B. provide psychological support to the patient and wait for the responding paramedics to arrive at the scene. C. leave the patient's clothes on and continuously flush both of his extremities for at least 15 minutes. D. have the patient remove his clothes, brush off the dry lime, and wash the affected area for at least 20 minutes

D

A 52-year-old man presents with chest pain, restlessness, and hallucinations approximately 3 days after he stopped drinking alcohol. The patient tells you that he is an alcoholic and has tried to quit drinking several times. You assess him and notice that he is shaking and his skin is hot to the touch. You should: A. recognize that the patient is experiencing a serious medical emergency and arrange for prompt transport to the hospital. B. place him in the recovery position, apply a blanket to keep him warm, and be prepared for the patient to develop a seizure. C. tell the patient that his signs and symptoms are normal with alcohol withdrawal and should subside within a week. D. perform a thorough physical exam and allow a friend to drive him to the hospital if you do not find any serious conditions.

A

A patient who has used amphetamines or cocaine would most likely present with: A. restlessness, irritability, and talkativeness. B. hallucinations and reduced pain sensitivity. C. a slow pulse rate and slow, shallow breathing. D. signs that are identical to alcohol intoxication.

A

Activated charcoal works by: A. binding to the poison. B. causing the patient to vomit. C. reversing the effects of the poison. D. facilitating digestion of the poison.

A

Carbon monoxide negatively affects the body by: A. preventing red blood cells from carrying oxygen. B. inducing violent vomiting and causing aspiration. C. causing blood to back up into the tissue of the lungs. D. destroying a large number of circulating white blood cells.

A

General signs and symptoms of poisoning include all of the following, except: A. dry, flushed, hot skin. B. decreased respirations. C. abdominal pain and diarrhea. D. excessive salivation or nausea.

A

In addition to ensuring your own safety, the first step in treating a patient who has absorbed a poisonous substance is to: A. ensure that the patient is no longer in contact with the substance. B. brush off any dry chemicals and then flush the site with water. C. dilute the affected area with clean water for at least 20 minutes. D. immediately ask the patient to remove all of his or her clothing.

A

Naloxone (Narcan) would most likely reverse the effects of: A. heroin. B. cocaine. C. bath salts. D. gasoline.

A

The most effective way to slow the spread of an injected poison throughout the body is to: A. keep the patient quiet and still. B. apply a tight constricting band. C. apply chemical ice packs to the site. D. administer supplemental oxygen.

A

What factors are often associated with excited delirium? A. Drug toxicity and previous mental illness B. Hypothermia and a history of hypertension C. Type 1 diabetes and coronary artery disease D. Heatstroke and a recent history of surgery

A

Which of the following is not a route by which a poison can enter the body? A. Dilution B. Ingestion C. Injection D. Inhalation

A

Which of the following routes occurs when a person is stung by an insect or bitten by a snake? A. Injection B. Ingestion C. Inhalation D. Absorption

A

You are the first medically trained person to arrive at a residence for a 40-year-old woman who has a severe headache and nausea. As you are assessing the patient, her husband tells you that he and his son have the same symptoms. You should: A. remove everyone from the residence at once. B. suspect that the family is suffering from the flu. C. perform a thorough physical exam on all patients. D. request additional resources to care for the patients.

A

A 22-year-old woman was stung multiple times by hornets while at a family outing. The patient is semiconscious and has labored breathing. Further assessment reveals that she has a rash on her entire body and a rapid, weak pulse. After correcting problems with airway, breathing, and circulation, you should: A. contact responding paramedics for medical orders. B. prepare the patient for rapid transport to the hospital. C. apply a tourniquet above the area affected by the stings. D. apply an AED in case the patient develops cardiac arrest.

B

A chemical substance that has a pH of greater than 7 is called an: A. acid. B. alkali. C. antidote. D. adsorbent

B

A hiker was bitten on the left leg by an unknown type of snake. Your assessment reveals that the affected area is swollen and tender to the touch. The patient is sweating profusely and is nauseated. Responding paramedics have not arrived at the scene. In addition to keeping the patient calm, you should: A. apply a tourniquet below the area of the bite and elevate the affected extremity at least 10" (25.4 cm). B. gently wash the bite area, splint the affected extremity, and place it below the level of the heart. C. have the patient lie down, elevate the affected extremity, and update the responding paramedics. D. advise the paramedics that antivenin will be needed, apply ice to the bite area, and splint the affected extremity.

B

A man found his girlfriend lying unconscious on the couch. You arrive at the scene, determine that it is safe, and assess the patient. Your assessment reveals that the patient is not breathing and her pulse is slow and weak. You should: A. suspect a cocaine overdose and place her in the recovery position. B. suspect an opioid overdose and begin mouth-to-mask rescue breathing. C. begin CPR immediately and suspect that she has overdosed on a nervous system depressant. D. provide immediate mouth-to-mask rescue breathing and ask the boyfriend if she has AIDS.

B

A patient's reaction to an injected drug is mostly dependent on: A. his or her age and body weight. B. the type and quantity of the drug. C. the reason he or she injected the drug. D. the state of his or her underlying health.

B

Absorption occurs when a poison enters the body through: A. the mouth and is absorbed by the digestive system. B. intact skin and spreads through the circulatory system. C. the mouth or nose and is absorbed by the respiratory system. D. an opening in the skin and spreads through the circulatory system.

B

After taking precautions to ensure personal safety, initial treatment for a patient who has been exposed to a nerve agent should focus on: A. administering a nerve agent antidote. B. assessing and supporting the patient's ABCs. C. irrigating the patient's entire body with water. D. performing a thorough head-to-toe assessment.

B

Anaphylactic shock is characterized by: A. itching, a rapid pulse, high blood pressure, and anxiety. B. hives, a rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and unconsciousness. C. rapid facial swelling followed immediately by cardiac arrest. D. red streaks to the face, a weak pulse, and extreme hyperactivity.

B

Emergency medical care for a patient experiencing excited delirium would most likely include: A. physical restraint. B. cooling measures. C. intranasal naloxone. D. warming measures.

B

Inhaling relatively small quantities of carbon monoxide can result in severe poisoning because: A. carbon monoxide molecules expand significantly after they enter the bloodstream. B. carbon monoxide combines with red blood cells 200 times more readily than oxygen does. C. carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that cannot be detected easily. D. carbon monoxide is extremely irritating to the mucous linings of the respiratory system.

B

The usual adult dose of activated charcoal is: A. 5 to 12.5 g. B. 25 to 50 g. C. 12.5 to 25 g. D. 25 to 100 g.

B

Two general treatments for poisoning by ingestion are: A. syrup of ipecac and dilution with water. B. activated charcoal and dilution with water. C. dilution with milk and inducing vomiting. D. activated charcoal and syrup of ipecac.

B

When treating a person who has ingested a poison, you should first: A. notify the poison control center. B. identify the poison the person ingested. C. induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. D. arrange for prompt transport to a hospital.

B

Which of the following statements regarding snake bites is correct? A. Poisonous snake bites are usually fatal. B. A snake's venom may affect the entire body. C. The coral snake is the least dangerous snake. D. Respiratory distress immediately follows a snake bite.

B

You are on scene with a patient who ingested a poisonous substance and are unable to contact the poison control center. You should: A. make one attempt to induce vomiting. B. dilute the poison by giving the patient water. C. instruct the patient to drink one liter of milk. D. position the patient supine in case vomiting occurs.

B

A patient who has attempted suicide by intentional poisoning: A. requires at least 6 months of rehabilitation. B. is usually depressed and rather easy to treat. C. needs both medical and psychological support. D. will typically have homicidal thoughts as well.

C

A patient who has inhaled a poison would most likely present with: A. profuse sweating. B. dilation of the pupils. C. coughing and hoarseness. D. severe vomiting and diarrhea.

C

A poison that enters the body through the mouth or nose and is absorbed by the mucous membranes lining the respiratory system is said to be: A. ingested. B. injected. C. inhaled. D. absorbed.

C

Opioid drugs have a direct negative effect on the: A. respiratory system. B. cardiovascular system. C. central nervous system. D. gastrointestinal system.

C

Symptoms of exposure to an organophosphate insecticide or nerve agent include: A. dry mouth, rapid heart rate, and hypertension. B. excessive thirst, a headache, and pupil dilation. C. slow heart rate, salivation, and excessive tearing. D. facial swelling, joint pain, and trouble swallowing.

C

When administering a DuoDote nerve agent auto-injector, you should inject the medication: A. even if the patient is not experiencing any signs or symptoms. B. only after receiving approval from a paramedic or advanced EMT. C. into the lateral thigh and hold the injector in place for 10 seconds. D. into the front of the leg and hold the injector in place for 5 seconds.

C

When administering naloxone (Narcan) via the intranasal route, the EMR should: A. give a maximum of 3 mL per nostril. B. position the patient onto his or her side. C. administer a half dose into each nostril. D. ensure that the patient is not breathing first.

C

Which of the following toxins irritates the lungs and upper respiratory tract, resulting in violent coughing? A. Chlorine gas B. Liquid drain cleaner C. Ammonia mixed with chlorine D. Carbon monoxide mixed with cyanide

C

You arrive at a water treatment plant for a 30-year-old man who is having difficulty breathing. As you get out of your vehicle and approach the building, you notice several workers who are having trouble breathing and coughing violently. One of the workers tells you that the patient, who is now unconscious, is still in the building. You should: A. wear a mask and safety goggles and quickly remove the patient. B. ask a water plant worker to retrieve the patient from the building. C. request fire personnel with specialized gear to remove the patient. D. presume the patient to be dead and initiate treatment of the workers.

C

You respond to a residence where a young male apparently used an excessive amount of speed and cocaine. A responding paramedic crew is approximately 10 minutes away. Law enforcement is at the scene and has ensured that it is safe. The patient is extremely irritable and restless, and he begins shouting obscenities at you. You should: A. immediately retreat to an area of safety and then assist the paramedics when they arrive at the scene. B. have law enforcement place the patient in handcuffs and then perform a careful physical examination. C. attempt to provide reassurance to the patient and enlist the help of law enforcement if he becomes violent. D. tell the patient that his behavior is not acceptable and that you cannot help him until he becomes more cooperative.

C

A 16-year-old girl intentionally ingested liquid drain cleaner in an attempt to kill herself. She is conscious, alert, and refuses to speak to you. You should: A. induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. B. determine why she tried to kill herself. C. administer 50 g of activated charcoal. D. arrange for prompt transport to the hospital.

D

A poison is most accurately defined as a: A. toxic chemical that is injected directly into a large vein. B. substance that requires large quantities to be fatal. C. chemical that causes severe illness only when it is ingested. D. substance that can cause death in relatively small quantities.

D