Environmental Emergencies (Multiple Choice)

The venom of a brown recluse spider is cytotoxic, meaning that it: -Suppresses the respiratory drive -Destroys the body's red blood cells -Weakens the structure of the bones -Causes severe local tissue damage

Causes severe local tissue damage

What is often the first sign of heat stroke? -Change in behavior -Profuse sweating -Muscle cramps -Low pulse rate and blood pressure

Change in behavior

True or False In an air embolism, the air pressure in the lungs remains constant while the external pressure on the chest increases.

False

True or False Symptoms of air embolism may not occur for several hours.

False

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: -Giving a salt-containing solution by mouth -Moving him to a cooler environment at once -Administering oxygen via nonrebreathing mask -Placing him in a supine position and elevating his legs

Giving a salt-containing solution by mouth

You arrive at the scene and find the patient sitting under a tree in his garden; he is conscious, but confused. His wife tells you that he has been working outside all day. She further states that he refused to take a break and drink some water. Your assessment finds a flushed appearance; weak and rapid radial pulses; and hot, moist skin. Based on this, you suspect that your patient is suffering from __________ . -Heat asphyxia -Heat cramps -Heat stroke -Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke

Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include all of the following EXCEPT: -Nausea -Headache -Hot, dry skin -Tachycardia

Hot, dry skin

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: -Move him as a unit to a supine position -Begin ventilations with a barrier device -Immediately secure him to a longboard -Open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver

Move him as a unit to a supine position

Hypothermia is diagnosed when the core body temperature falls below what temperature? 90°F (32.2°C) 95°F (35°C) 92°F (33.3°C) 98°F (36.7°C)

95°F (35°C)

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 black widow spider bite -Envenomation from a pit viper -A brown recluse spider bite -Rocky Mountain spotted fever

A black widow spider bite

Burns associated with lightning strikes are typically: -Third-degree -Partial-thickness -Full-thickness -Superficial

Superficial

True or False It is difficult to find a pulse in a drowning victim.

True

True or False The diving reflex may cause immediate bradycardia.

True

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: -Radiation -Convection -Conduction -Evaporation

Convection

All of the following snakes are pit vipers, EXCEPT for the: -Copperhead -Rattlesnake -Coral snake -Cottonmouth

Coral snake

In which of the following environmental emergencies are you most likely to encounter laryngospasm? -Drowning -A tick bite -Hyperthermia -After being bitten by a coral snake

Drowning

The body's natural cooling mechanism, in which sweat is converted to a gas, is called: -Conduction -Evaporation -Convection -Radiation

Evaporation

Which of the following statements regarding lightning strikes is correct? -Lightning strikes may cause cardiac dysrhythmias that spontaneously resolve -The tissue damage pathway caused by lightning usually occurs through the skin -Victims who are struck by lightning often experience severe full-thickness burns -Cervical spine fractures are the most common cause of lightning-related deaths

Lightning strikes may cause cardiac dysrhythmias that spontaneously resolve

Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include all of the following, EXCEPT: -Dysphasia -Pale skin -Dizziness -Joint pain

Pale skin

The two MOST effective ways for the body to eliminate excess heat are: -Hyperventilation and tachycardia -Perspiration and tachycardia -Sweating and vasodilation -Respiration and bradycardia

Sweating and vasodilation

Shivering is a mechanism in which the body generates heat by: -Increasing the metabolic rate -Decreasing the use of oxygen -Decreasing the metabolic rate -Retaining excess carbon dioxide

Increasing the metabolic rate

Shivering stops and muscle activity ceases once the body's core temperature reaches what? 85°F (29.4°C) 90°F (32.2°C) 80°F (26.7°C) 95°F (35°C)

90°F (32.2°C)

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

A swimmer hyperventilates prior to entering the water

Signs of late heat stroke include: -Hot, moist skin -Nausea and vomiting -A weak, rapid pulse -A change in behavior

A weak, rapid pulse

The MOST prominent symptom of decompression sickness is: -Tightness in the chest -Difficulty with vision -Dizziness and nausea -Abdominal or joint pain

Abdominal or joint pain

After being stung on the leg by a jellyfish, a man complains of severe pain to his leg, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. He has a red rash covering his trunk and his blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. The EMT should: -Administer oxygen and epinephrine and prepare for rapid transport -Remove the stingers from his leg by scraping them with a stiff object -Begin transport and immerse his leg in hot water to help reduce pain -Apply warmth to the sting area and cover it with a dry, sterile dressing

Administer oxygen and epinephrine and prepare for rapid transport

All of the following are examples of passive rewarming techniques, EXCEPT: -Removing cold, wet clothing -Administering warm fluids by mouth -Turning up the heat inside the ambulance -Covering the patient with warm blankets

Administering warm fluids by mouth

What is the most dangerous, and most common, emergency in scuba diving? -Air embolism -Drowning -Decompression sickness -Diving reflex

Air embolism

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: -An air embolism -A pneumothorax =Pneumomediastinum -Decompression sickness

An air embolism

A dysbarism injury refers to the signs and symptoms related to changes in: -Rapid ascent -Rapid descent -Decompression -Barometric pressure

Barometric pressure

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

Blood is shunted away from the extremities to the body's core

Shivering in the presence of hypothermia indicates that the: -Musculoskeletal system is damaged -Nerve endings are damaged, causing loss of muscle control -Body is trying to generate more heat through muscular activity -Thermoregulatory system has failed and body temperature is falling

Body is trying to generate more heat through muscular activity

The diving reflex may allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to: -Bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate -Laryngospasm that protects the lungs from water -Tachycardia and a lowering of the blood pressure -Increases in the metabolic rate and oxygen demand

Bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate

A person who stands outside in windy, wintry weather and wears only lightweight clothing is experiencing heat loss mainly by what method? -Respiration -Evaporation -Convection -Conduction

Convection

The transfer of heat to circulating air, such as when cool air moves across the body's surface, is called: -Radiation -Conduction -Convection -Evaporation

Convection

You are assessing a 27-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: -Give her ice water to drink -Place her in the recovery position -Cover her with wet sheets and fan her -Take her temperature with an axillary probe

Cover her with wet sheets and fan her

Drowning is MOST accurately defined as: -Death beyond 24 hours after submersion in water -Temporary survival after submersion in water -Water in the lungs following submersion in water -Death from suffocation after submersion in water

Death from suffocation after submersion in water

Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they: -Have relatively smaller heads -Have less body fat -Exhibit poor thermoregulation -Have smaller body surface areas

Exhibit poor thermoregulation

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? -Group 1 -Group 2 -Group 3 -Groups 1 and 2; Group 3 should be tagged as deceased

Group 3

You are treating a patient who was climbing a 10,000-foot mountain when he began to experience a severe, constant, throbbing headache; ataxia; and extreme fatigue. He is nauseated and, as you assess him, he loses consciousness. Which of the following should you suspect? -Mountain sickness -HACE -HAPE -Rocky Mountain spotted fever

HACE

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

Laryngospasm following submersion in water makes rescue breathing difficult

It is important to remove a drowning victim from the water before laryngospasm relaxes because: -The patient will suffer less airway trauma -The risk of severe hypothermia is lessened -Less water will have entered the patient's lungs -You can ventilate the patient with laryngospasm

Less water will have entered the patient's lungs

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 2 days ago. On the basis of this patient's presentation, you should suspect: -Lyme disease -An allergic reaction -Exposure to poison ivy -Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Lyme disease

A frostbitten foot can be identified by the presence of: -Gross deformity -Soft, smooth skin -Mottling and blisters -Yellowish skin

Mottling and blisters

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: -Give him a liquid salt solution to drink -Administer 100% supplemental oxygen -Apply chemical ice packs to his axillae -Move him into the cooled ambulance

Move him into the cooled ambulance

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. You should: -Apply the AED in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest, cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully -Place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling -Cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher in order to generate body heat and increase her temperature -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

Place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling

You suspect that the patient you are treating was bitten by a rattlesnake. What should you do first? -Apply suction to the wound to suck out the venom -Catch the snake so you can take it to the ED -Apply ice to the wound -Place the patient in a supine position

Place the patient in a supine position

The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by: -An air embolism -Alcohol intoxication -Possible spinal injury -Cold-water immersion

Possible spinal injury

A patient with a core body temperature of 95°F (35°C) will MOST likely experience: -A slow pulse -Rapid breathing -Muscle stiffness -Loss of consciousness

Rapid breathing

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: -Rubbing her feet gently with your own warm hands -Trying to restore circulation by helping her to walk around -Removing her wet clothing and rubbing her feet briskly with a warm, wet cloth -Removing her wet clothing and covering her feet with dry, sterile dressings

Removing her wet clothing and covering her feet with dry, sterile dressings

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: -Turn her head to the side and give five back slaps -Turn her head to the side and begin rescue breathing -Rotate her entire body as a unit and carefully remove her from the pool -Rotate the entire upper half of her body as a unit, supporting her head and neck

Rotate the entire upper half of her body as a unit, supporting her head and neck

You are assessing a man with suspected hypothermia, The patient is conscious and alert, and is actively shivering. His respiratory rate is increased, but his breathing is unlabored and the pulse oximeter reads 72%. The pulse oximetry reading is MOST likely: -Accurate b/c shivering affects the hemoglobin binding -A direct reflection of his increased respiratory rate -Accurate b/c he has signs of respiratory failure -Secondary to decreased perfusion in the extremities

Secondary to decreased perfusion in the extremities

Cardiorespiratory response when core body temperature falls into the range of 89ºF to 92ºF (31.7ºC to 33.3ºC) involves __________ . -Slowing respirations and a slow pulse -Cardiac arrest -Constricted blood vessels and rapid breathing -Weak pulse, dysrhythmias, very slow respirations

Slowing respirations and a slow pulse

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

The body's heat-eliminating mechanisms are overwhelmed

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

The diver holds his or her breath during a rapid ascent

In the context of an environment that is 90°F with 85% humidity, what does moist, pale, cool skin indicate? -The patient is hypothermic -The body can no longer regulate core temperature -Core body temperature and ambient temperature are equal -There has been excessive fluid and salt loss

There has been excessive fluid and salt loss

Rough handling of a hypothermic patient with a pulse may cause: -Profound bradycardia -Ventricular fibrillation -Ventricular tachycardia -Pulseless electrical activity

Ventricular fibrillation

Rough handling of a patient with severe hypothermia may cause which of the following dysrhythmias? -Sinus bradycardia -Ventricular fibrillation -Asystole -Sinus tachycardia

Ventricular fibrillation