Chapter 30: Environmental Emergencies

A 30-year-old male, who has been playing softball all day in a hot environment, complains of weakness and nausea shortly after experiencing a syncopal episode. Appropriate treatment for this patient includes all of the following, EXCEPT: A. giving a salt-containing solution by mouth. B. moving him to a cooler environment at once. C. administering oxygen via nonrebreathing mask. D. placing him in a supine position and elevating his legs.

A

A dysbarism injury refers to the signs and symptoms related to changes in: A. rapid ascent. B. rapid descent. C. decompression. D. barometric pressure.

D

Black widow spiders may be found in: A. New Hampshire B. woodpiles C. Georgia D. all of the above

D

It is important to remove a drowning victim from the water before laryngospasm relaxes because: A. the patient will suffer less airway trauma. B. the risk of severe hypothermia is lessened. C. less water will have entered the patient's lungs. D. you can ventilate the patient with laryngospasm.

C

Never assume that a(n) __________, pulseless patient is dead. A. apneic B. cyanotic C. cold D. hypothermic

C

Shivering in the presence of hypothermia indicates that the: A. musculoskeletal system is damaged. B. nerve endings are damaged, causing loss of muscle control. C. body is trying to generate more heat through muscular activity. D. thermoregulatory system has failed and body temperature is falling.

C

Small infant have a poor ability to thermoregulate and are unable to shiver to control heat loss until about the age of: A. 4-6 months B. 6-12 months C. 12-18 months D. 18-24 months

C

The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by: A. an air embolism. B. alcohol intoxication. C. possible spinal injury. D. cold water immersion.

C

The characteristic appearance of blue lips and/or fingertips seen in hypothermia is the result of: A. lack of oxygen in venous blood B. frostbite C. blood vessels constricting D. bruising

C

The transfer of heat to circulating air, such as when cool air moves across the body's surface, is called: A. radiation. B. conduction. C. convection. D. evaporation.

C

The two MOST efficient ways for the body to eliminate excess heat are: A. respiration and bradycardia. B. perspiration and tachycardia. C. sweating and dilation of skin blood vessels. D. hyperventilation and tachycardia.

C

Three ambulances respond to a golf course where a group of six golfers were struck by lighting. Two of the golfers are conscious and alert with superficial skin burns (Group 1). The next two golfers have minor fractures and appear confused (Group 2). The last two golfers are in cardiac arrest (Group 3). According to reverse triage, which group of golfers should be treated FIRST? A. Group 1 B. Group 2 C. Group 3 D. Groups 1 and 2; Group 3 should be tagged as deceased

C

What is the best method of inactivating a jellyfish sting? A. urinating on it B. flushing the site with cold water C. applying vinegar D. applying an ice pack

C

You are assessing a 30-year-old woman with a heat-related emergency. Her skin is flushed, hot, and moist; and her level of consciousness is decreased. After moving her to a cool environment, managing her airway, and administering oxygen, you should: A. give her ice water to drink. B. place her in the recovery position. C. cover her with wet sheets and fan her. D. take her temperature with an axillary probe.

C

A 13-year-old girl is found floating face down in a swimming pool. Witnesses tell you that the girl had been practicing diving. After you and your partner safely enter the water, you should: A. turn her head to the side and give five back slaps. B. turn her head to the side and begin rescue breathing. C. rotate her entire body as a unit and carefully remove her from the pool. D. rotate the entire upper half of her body as a unit, supporting her head and neck.

D

A woman has frostbite in both feet after walking several miles in a frozen field. Her feet are white, hard, and cold to the touch. Treatment at the scene should include: A. rubbing her feet gently with your own warm hands. B. trying to restore circulation by helping her to walk around. C. removing her wet clothing and rubbing her feet briskly with a warm, wet cloth. D. removing her wet clothing and covering her feet with dry, sterile dressings.

D

At 1400 in July, the weather is 105 degrees F and very humid. You have been called for a "man down" at the park. As you arrive, you recognize him as an alcoholic who has been a "frequent flyer" with your service. It looks like he had been sitting under a tree when he fell over, unconscious. How will you treat this patient? A. prevent conduction heat loss B. prevent convection heat loss C. remove the patient from the environment D. all of the above

D

Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. nausea. B. headache. C. tachycardia. D. hot, dry skin.

D

Contributing factors to the development of heat illnesses include all of the following except: A. high air temperature B. vigorous exercise C. high humidity D. increased fluid intake

D

High humidity reduces the body's ability to lose heat through: A. radiation. B. convection. C. conduction. D. evaporation.

D

Hypothermia can worsen internal bleeding secondary to: A. cardiac arrhythmias. B. a decreased heart rate. C. severe muscular rigidity. D. blood clotting abnormalities.

D

It is important to remain hydrated while on duty. Drink at least ________ of water per day, and more when exertion or heat is involved. A. 8 glasses B. 1 liter C. 2 liters D. 3 liters

D

Treatment of a snake bite from a pit viper includes: A. calming the patient B. providing BLS as needed if the patient shows no sign of envenomation C. marking the skin with a pen over the swollen are to note whether swelling is spreading D. all of the above

D

Treatment of drowning and/or near drowning begins with: A. opening the airway B. ventilation with 100% oxygen via bag-mask device C. suctioning the lungs to remove the water D. rescue and removal from the water

D

A 48-year-old male was stung on the leg by a jellyfish while swimming in the ocean. He is conscious and alert, but complains of intense pain at the wound site. Specific treatment for this patient includes: A. irrigating the wound with vinegar and immersing his leg in hot water. B. pulling the nematocysts out with tweezers and bandaging the wound. C. immersing his leg in fresh cold water and scraping away the stingers. D. applying a chemical ice pack to the wound and encouraging movement.

A

Heat loss from the body through respiration occurs when: A. warm air is exhaled into the atmosphere. B. the core body temperature is greater than 98°F (37°C). C. cool air is inhaled and displaces warm air. D. air temperature is greater than body temperature.

A

If a patient has a cold skin temperature, he or she likely is: A. hypothermic B. hyperthermic C. hypovolemic D. hypoglycemic

A

Most heat stroke cases occur when the temperature is around _________ and the humidity is 80%. A. 80 degrees F B. 90 degrees F C. 100 degrees F D. 110 degrees F

A

Shortly after ascending rapidly to the surface of the water while holding his breath, a 29- year-old diver begins coughing up pink, frothy sputum and complains of dyspnea and chest pain. You should suspect and treat this patient for: A. an air embolism. B. a pneumothorax. C. pneumomediastinum. D. decompression sickness.

A

The organs most severely affected by air embolism are the: A. brain and spinal cord B. brain and heart C. heart and lungs D. brain and lungs

A

Which of the following is an early sign of pit viper envenomation? A. local swelling and ecchymosis B. general weakness and diaphoresis C. syncope and bleeding at distal sites D. signs and symptoms of hypoperfusion

A

Which of the following statements regarding the brown recluse spider is false? A. it is larger than the black widow spider B. it lives mostly in the southern and central parts of the country C. venom is not neurotoxic D. bites rarely cause systemic signs and symptoms

A

You are dispatched to a residence for a young female who is sick. The patient complains of a rash to her lower extremities and truncal area. Your assessment reveals a small, painful blister on her inner thigh. As your partner is taking the patient's vital signs, she states that she and her family returned from a camping trip two days ago. On the basis of this patient's presentation, you should suspect: A. Lyme disease. B. an allergic reaction. C. exposure to poison ivy. D. Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

A

All of the following are examples of passive rewarming techniques, EXCEPT: A. removing cold, wet clothing. B. administering warm fluids by mouth. C. turning up the heat inside the ambulance. D. covering the patient with warm blankets.

B

All of the following terms are used to describe a cold body part that is not frozen, EXCEPT: A. frostnip. B. frostbite. C. chilblains. D. trench foot.

B

If a patient has a hot skin temperature, he or she likely is: A. hypothermic B. hyperthermic C. hypoglycemic D. hypervolemic

B

Most frostbitten parts are: A. soft and moist B. hard and waxy C. soft and waxy D. hard and moist

B

When a person is exposed to cold temperatures and strong winds for an extended period of time, he or she will lose heat mostly by: A. radiation. B. convection. C. conduction. D. evaporation.

B

When a warm hand is immersed in water that is 70°F (21°C), heat is transferred from the hand to the water through a process called: A. radiation. B. conduction. C. convection. D. evaporation.

B

When treating multiple victims of lightning strikes, who should you concentrate your efforts on first? A. conscious patients B. unconscious patients in respiratory or cardiac arrest C. all unconscious patients D. none of the above

B

_________ is the body's reaction to an irritation of water entering the lower respiratory tract. A. bronchoconstriction B. laryngospasm C. esophageal spasms D. swelling in the oropharynx

B

A person's ability to shiver is lost when his or her body temperature falls below: A. 90°F (32°C). B. 92°F (33°C). C. 94°F (34°C). D. 95°F (35°C).

A

Areas usually affected by descent problems include: A. the lungs B. the skin C. the joints D. vision

A

At 1400 in July, the weather is 105 degrees F and very humid. You have been called for a "man down" at the park. As you arrive, you recognize him as an alcoholic who has been a "frequent flyer" with your service. It looks like he had been sitting under a tree when he fell over, unconscious. The direct transfer of heat from his body to the cold ground is called: A. conduction B. convection C. radiation D. evaporation

A

Burns associated with lightning strikes are typically: A. superficial. B. third-degree. C. full-thickness. D. partial-thickness.

A

Coral snake venom is a powerful toxin that causes __________ of the nervous system. A. paralysis B. hyperactivity C. hypoactivity D. hemiparesis

A

Covering a patient's _________ will significantly minimize radiation heat loss. A. head B. chest C. abdomen D. extremities

A

Evaporation, the conversion of a liquid to a gas, is a process that requires: A. energy B. circulating air C. a warmer ambient temperature D. high humidity

A

Geriatric patients are at a higher risk for heatstroke because: A. circulation to the skin is reduced. B. most geriatric patients are obese. C. their ability to sweat is enhanced. D. their ability to shiver is reduced.

A

High air temperature reduces the body's ability to lose heat by: A. radiation. B. convection. C. conduction. D. evaporation.

A

Most spinal injuries in diving incidents affect the: A. cervical spine B. thoracic spine C. lumbar spine D. sacrum/coccyx

A

Often, the first sign of heatstroke is: A. a change in behavior B. an increase in pulse rate C. an increase in respirations D. hot, dry, flushed skin

A

Patients with generalized hypothermia are at an increased risk of a local cold injury because: A. blood is shunted away from the extremities to the body's core. B. peripheral vasodilation brings warm blood to the skin's surface. C. the major muscles of the body become rigid during hypothermia. D. the patient is usually unable to escape the cold ambient temperature.

A

Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease are both spread through the tick's: A. saliva B. blood C. hormones D. excrement

A

Shivering is a mechanism in which the body generates heat by: A. increasing the metabolic rate. B. decreasing the use of oxygen. C. decreasing the metabolic rate. D. retaining excess carbon dioxide.

A

The diving reflex may allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to: A. bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate. B. laryngospasm that protects the lungs from water. C. tachycardia and a lowering of the blood pressure. D. increases in the metabolic rate and oxygen demand.

A

To assess a patient's general temperature, pull back your glove and place the back of your hand on the patient's: A. abdomen, underneath clothing B. forehead C. forearm, on the inside of the wrist D. neck, at the area where you check the carotid pulse

A

To obtain the MOST accurate reading of a patient's core body temperature, you should place a special hypothermia thermometer: A. into the patient's rectum. B. under the patient's tongue. C. behind the patient's knee. D. under the patient's armpit.

A

When the body is exposed to more heat energy than it loses, __________ result(s). A. hyperthermia B. heat cramps C. heat exhaustion D. heatstroke

A

Which of the following statements about heat cramps is false? A. they only occur when it is hot outdoors B. they may be seen in well-conditioned athletes C. the exact cause of heat cramps is not well understood D. dehydration may play a role in the development of heat cramps

A

Which of the following statements regarding lightning strikes is correct? A. Lighting often results in a brief period of asystole that resolves spontaneously. B. The tissue damage pathway caused by lightning usually occurs through the skin. C. Victims who are struck by lightning often experience severe full-thickness burns. D. Cervical spine fractures are the most common cause of lightning-related deaths.

A

You and your partner are standing by at a large social event at a river resort when a frantic woman tells you that she found a young male floating face-down in the water. Nobody claims to have witnessed the event. After you and your partner enter the water and reach the patient, you should: A. move him as a unit to a supine position. B. begin ventilations with a barrier device. C. immediately secure him to a longboard. D. perform a jaw-thrust maneuver to open his airway.

A

You are assessing a 33-year-old male who complains of severe abdominal pain, weakness, and nausea. He tells you that he was gathering wood to build a fire when he felt a sudden, sharp pain on the back of his hand. Your assessment reveals that the patient's abdomen is rigid and painful to palpation. You should suspect: A. a black widow spider bite. B. envenomation from a pit viper. C. a brown recluse spider bite. D. Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

A

You respond to a local lake where a diver complains of difficulty breathing that occurred immediately after rapidly ascending from a depth of approximately 30′. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis around his lips and has pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should: A. suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, position him on his left side with his head down, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility. B. place him in a semi-sitting position, suction his mouth and nose, apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, and transport to the closest emergency department. C. suction his mouth and nose, keep him supine and elevate his legs to prevent air bubbles from entering his brain, administer high-flow oxygen, and transport to a hyperbaric chamber. D. position him supine with his head elevated 30°, suction his mouth and nose, hyperventilate him with a bag-mask device, and contact medical control for further guidance.

A

A 30-year-old male was rescued after being lost in the woods for approximately 18 hours. The outside temperature is 30°F (−1°C). He is immediately placed in the warmed ambulance, where you perform a primary assessment. He is unconscious, pale, and apneic. You should: A. apply an AED and assess his cardiac rhythm. B. assess for a carotid pulse for up to 45 seconds. C. open his airway and give two rescue breaths. D. apply chemical heat packs to his groin and axillae.

B

A patient with a core body temperature of 95°F (35°C) will MOST likely experience: A. a slow pulse. B. rapid breathing. C. muscle stiffness. D. loss of consciousness.

B

An air embolism associated with diving occurs when: A. the diver hyperventilates prior to entering the water. B. the diver holds his or her breath during a rapid ascent. C. the alveoli completely collapse due to high pressure. D. high water pressure forces air into the mediastinum.

B

At 1400 in July, the weather is 105 degrees F and very humid. You have been called for a "man down" at the park. As you arrive, you recognize him as an alcoholic who has been a "frequent flyer" with your service. It looks like he had been sitting under a tree when he fell over, unconscious. As you assess the patient, he has cold, clammy skin and a dry tongue. You suspect that: A. he is well-hydrated B. he has suffered heat exhaustion C. he is hypothermic D. he has heatstroke

B

At 1400 in July, the weather is 105 degrees F and very humid. You have been called for a "man down" at the park. As you arrive, you recognize him as an alcoholic who has been a "frequent flyer" with your service. It looks like he had been sitting under a tree when he fell over, unconscious. As you look closer, you note that he is shivering and his respirations are 20 breaths/min. You begin to have a stronger suspicion that he is now getting: A. hyperthermic B. hypothermic C. drunk D. heatstroke

B

At 1400 in July, the weather is 105 degrees F and very humid. You have been called for a "man down" at the park. As you arrive, you recognize him as an alcoholic who has been a "frequent flyer" with your service. It looks like he had been sitting under a tree when he fell over, unconscious. You pull back on your glove and place the back of your hand on his skin at the abdomen. and skin feels cool. Again, you suspect A. hyperthermia B. hypothermia C. that he is drunk D. heatstroke

B

Compared to adults, infants and children are at higher risk for hypothermia for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT: A. a decreased ability to shiver. B. a relatively small surface area. C. a smaller amount of body fat. D. a smaller overall muscle mass.

B

Drowning is MOST accurately defined as: A. temporary survival after submersion in water. B. death from suffocation after submersion in water. C. water in the lungs following submersion in water. D. death beyond 24 hours after submersion in water.

B

Heatstroke occurs when: A. a person's core body temperature rises above 103°F (39°C). B. the body's heat-eliminating mechanisms are overwhelmed. C. a person becomes dehydrated secondary to excess water loss. D. the ambient temperature exceeds 90°F (32°C) and the humidity is high.

B

Hypothermia is more common among all of the following except: A. older individuals B. long-distance athletes C. infants and children D. those who are already ill

B

Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below: A. 98°F (37°C). B. 95°F (35°C). C. 90°F (32°C). D. 88°F (31°C).

B

In a diving emergency, ___________ occurs when bubbles of gas, especially nitrogen, obstruct the blood vessels. A. compression sickness B. decompression sickness C. pulmonary sickness D. nitrogen toxicity

B

In contrast to the brown recluse spider, the black widow spider: A. is very small and has a violin-shaped marking on its back. B. is large and has a red-orange hourglass mark on its abdomen. C. has a bite that is typically painless until a blister develops. D. has a bite that usually produces local pain but no systemic signs or symptoms.

B

In order for sweating to be an effective cooling mechanism: A. several layers of clothing must be worn. B. it must be able to evaporate from the body. C. the relative humidity must be above 90%. D. the body must produce at least 1 L per hour.

B

Rough handling of a hypothermic patient with a pulse may cause: A. profound bradycardia. B. ventricular fibrillation. C. ventricular tachycardia. D. pulseless electrical activity.

B

Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. dysphasia. B. pale skin. C. dizziness. D. joint pain.

B

Signs of envenomation by a pit viper include all of the following except: A. swelling B. chest pain C. ecchymosis D. severe burning pain at the site of the injury

B

The three phases of a dive, in the order they occur, are: A. ascent descent, and bottom B. descent, bottom, and ascent C. orientation, bottom and ascent D. descent, orientation, and ascent

B

The venom of a black widow spider is toxic to the: A. renal system. B. nervous system. C. respiratory system. D. cardiovascular system.

B

Which of the following MOST accurately describes hyperthermia? A. The core body temperature exceeds 99.5°F (37°C). B. The body is exposed to more heat than it can lose. C. Heat evaporates a significant amount of body water. D. The body eliminates more heat than it can generate.

B

You should never give up on resuscitating a cold-water drowning victim because: A. when the patient is submerged in water colder than body temperature, heat is maintained in the body B. the resulting hypothermia can protect vital organs from the lack of oxygen C. the resulting hypothermia raises the metabolic rate D. all of the above

B

Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4°F (34°C). She is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. In addition to monitoring her ABCs, administering oxygen, and turning up the heat in the back of the ambulance, you should: A. apply the AED in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest, cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully. B. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling. C. cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher in order to generate body heat and increase her temperature. D. sit her up and give her small sips of warm water to drink, place heat packs to her axillae and groin, and cover her with blankets.

B

A 20-year-old male was pulled from cold water by his friends. The length of his submersion is not known and was not witnessed. You perform a primary assessment and determine that the patient is apneic and has a slow, weak pulse. You should: A. suction his airway for 30 seconds, provide rescue breathing, keep him warm, and transport at once. B. ventilate with a bag-mask device, apply a cervical collar, remove his wet clothing, and transport rapidly. C. provide rescue breathing, remove wet clothing, immobilize his spine, keep him warm, and transport carefully. D. apply 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, immobilize his spine, keep him warm, and transport rapidly.

C

A frostbitten foot can be identified by the presence of: A. gross deformity. B. soft, smooth skin. C. mottling and blisters. D. blanching of the skin.

C

All of the following snakes are pit vipers, EXCEPT for the: A. copperhead. B. rattlesnake. C. coral snake. D. cottonmouth.

C

Breath-holding syncope is caused by a decreased stimulus to breathe and occurs when: A. a swimmer breathes shallowly before entering the water. B. a diver holds his or her breath during a staged ascent. C. a swimmer hyperventilates prior to entering the water. D. a diver holds his or her breath for a long period of time.

C

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they: A. have relatively smaller heads. B. have less body fat. C. exhibit poor thermoregulation. D. have smaller body surface areas.

C

If the near drowning victim has evidence of upper airway obstruction by foreign matter, which of the following would not be considered a method for clearing it? A. remove the obstruction manually B. apply suction C. place the patient in the recovery position to allow drainage D. use abdominal thrusts

C

Removal of a tick should be accomplished by: A. suffocating it with gasoline B. burning it with a lighted match to cause it to release its grip C. using fine tweezers to pull it straight out of the skin D. suffocating it with Vasoline

C

Signs and symptoms of severe systemic hypothermia include all of the following except: A. weak pulse B. coma C. shivering D. very slow respirations

C

Signs of late heatstroke include: A. hot, moist skin. B. nausea and vomiting. C. a weak, rapid pulse. D. a change in behavior.

C

To assess a patient's general temperature, pull back on your glove and place the back of your hand on his or her skin at the: A. neck. B. chest. C. abdomen. D. forehead.

C

Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to increase a person's risk of hypothermia? A. hypoperfusion B. severe infection C. hyperglycemia D. spinal cord injury

C

You and your partner respond to a park where several people were reportedly struck by lightning. When you arrive, you find three patients. The first patient is lying supine on the ground; he is unresponsive and does not appear to be breathing. The second patient is ambulatory, appears confused, and is holding his arm against his chest. The third patient is sitting on the ground holding the sides of his head. After calling for backup, you should: A. immediately begin CPR on the unresponsive patient, but cease resuscitation efforts if there is no response after 5 minutes of treatment. B. focus your initial treatment efforts on the patients who are conscious because the unresponsive patient is likely in irreversible cardiac arrest. C. assess the unresponsive patient's pulse, begin CPR starting with chest compressions if he is pulseless, and attach the AED as soon as possible. D. recognize that the patients who are conscious are at high risk for developing cardiac arrest and quickly assess them for potentially life-threatening injuries.

C

You receive a call to a residence for a sick patient. Upon your arrival, you find the patient, a 53-year-old diabetic male, lying down on his front porch. His wife tells you that he had been mowing the lawn in the heat for the past 3 hours. The patient is confused and has hot, moist skin. His pulse is weak and thready, and his blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. In addition to administering 100% oxygen, you should: A. perform a rapid assessment and look for signs of trauma. B. place him in a sitting position and have him drink 1 L of water. C. load him into the ambulance and begin rapid cooling interventions. D. administer one tube of oral glucose and reassess his mental status.

C

All of the following conditions refer to when exposed parts of the body become very cold, but not frozen, except: A. frostnip B. trench foot C. immersion foot D. frostbite

D

Management of hypothermia in the field consists of all of the following except: A. applying heat packs to the groin, axillary, and cervical regions B. removing wet clothing C. preventing further heat loss D. massaging the cold extremities

D

Most of the serious injuries associated with scuba diving are caused by: A. water temperature lower than 70°F (21°C). B. too rapid of a descent. C. alcohol consumption. D. too rapid of an ascent.

D

Potential problems associated with rupture of the lungs include all of the following except: A. air emboli B. pneumomediastinum C. pneumothorax D. hemopneumothorax

D

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and associated hypovolemia include all of the following except: A. cold, clammy skin with ashen pallor B. dizziness, weakness, or faintness C. normal vital signs D. normal thirst

D

The MOST prominent symptom of decompression sickness is: A. tightness in the chest. B. difficulty with vision. C. dizziness and nausea. D. abdominal or joint pain.

D

The body's natural cooling mechanism, in which sweat is converted to a gas, is called: A. radiation. B. convection. C. conduction. D. evaporation.

D

The body's natural protective mechanisms against heat loss are: A. shivering and vasodilation. B. vasodilation and respiration. C. respiration and vasoconstriction. D. vasoconstriction and shivering.

D

The least common but most serious illness caused by heat exposure, occurring when the body is subjected to more heat than it can handle and normal mechanisms for getting rid of the excess heat are overwhelmed, is: A. hyperthermia B. heat cramps C. heat exhaustion D. heatstroke

D

The rate and amount of heat loss by the body can be modified by all of the following except: A. increasing heat production B. moving to an area where heat loss is decreased C. wearing insulated clothing D. increasing fluid intake

D

The venom of a brown recluse spider is cytotoxic, meaning that it: A. suppresses the respiratory drive. B. destroys the body's red blood cells. C. weakens the structure of the bones. D. causes severe local tissue damage.

D

When the body loses sweat, it also loses: A. plasma. B. nutrients. C. erythrocytes. D. electrolytes.

D

Which of the following medications increases a person's risk of a heat-related emergency? A. Motrin B. Tylenol C. Aspirin D. diuretics

D

Which of the following statements regarding drowning is correct? A. Hypoxia in the drowning victim initially occurs due to water in the lungs. B. Artificial ventilations can easily be performed in patients with a laryngospasm. C. Large amounts of water enter the lungs in a small number of drowning victims. D. Laryngospasm following submersion in water makes rescue breathing difficult.

D

Which of the following would be the LEAST likely to occur in a patient with a core body temperature of between 89°F (32°C) and 92°F (33°C)? A. bradypnea B. confusion C. stiff muscles D. tachycardia

D

While drinking beer with his friends near a creek, a 31-year-old male was bitten on the leg by an unidentified snake. The patient is conscious and alert and in no apparent distress. Your assessment of his leg reveals two small puncture marks with minimal pain and swelling. In addition to administering oxygen and providing reassurance, further care for this patient should include: A. applying ice to the wound and transporting quickly. B. transporting only with close, continuous monitoring. C. elevating the lower extremities and giving antivenin. D. supine positioning, splinting the leg, and transporting.

D

You are dispatched to a local high school track and field event for a 16-year-old male who fainted. The outside temperature is approximately 95°F (35°C) with high humidity. Upon your arrival, the patient is conscious, alert, and complains of nausea and a headache. His skin is cool, clammy, and pale. You should: A. give him a liquid salt solution to drink. B. administer 100% supplemental oxygen. C. apply chemical ice packs to his axillae. D. move him into the cooled ambulance.

D

You are transporting a 28-year-old man with a frostbitten foot. The patient's vital signs are stable and he denies any other injuries or symptoms. The weather is treacherous and your transport time to the hospital is approximately 45 minutes. During transport, you should: A. rewarm his foot in 100°F to 105°F (38°C to 40°C) water. B. administer oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. C. cover his foot with chemical heat compresses. D. protect the affected part from further injury.

D

___________ causes body heat to be lost as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled. A. convection b. conduction C. radiation D. respiration

D