Chapter 11 Poisoning and Substance Abuse
More than _______ of all poisonings are caused by ingestion.
80%
What medicine is used to treat anaphylactic shock?
Epinephrine
A large quantity of carbon monoxide must be present for poisoning to occur.
False
A substance that causes poisoning by inhalation will always irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress.
False
A tongue depressor should be used to induce vomiting in an unconscious patient who may have been poisoned.
False
A well-trained and knowledgeable EMR will easily differentiate the symptoms of alcohol intoxication from those of insulin shock, diabetic coma, and other drug reactions.
False
Accidental poisoning is most common among teenagers
False
Activated charcoal is safe to use with any ingestion of poisoning.
False
Activated charcoal should be placed under the tongue for an unconscious patient who may have been poisoned.
False
Auto accidents cause twice as many deaths as alcohol abuse
False
If a patient shows signs and symptoms of poisoning but the poison cannot be identified easily, the safest treatment is to induce vomiting.
False
In agricultural settings, poisoning by chlorine gas is likely to occur and requires the use of a proper encapsulating suit with an SCBA.
False
Ipecac is a nonharmful drug and can be used as a treatment for all ingested poisons.
False
More than half of all poisoning cases are caused by injection
False
Poisoning by injection only includes the use of illegal drugs.
False
Snake bite is the second leading cause of fatalities in rural areas of the United States.
False
Treatment of a patient who has absorbed a poisonous substance may require removal of the patient's clothes, followed immediately by a complete washing of the patient's body with large amounts of water.
False
Treatment of anaphylactic shock involved the use of a DuoDove kit.
False
Uppers such as amphetamines and cocaine are the most commonly abused drugs in our society.
False
With ingested poisons, treat the patient, then immediately attempt to identify the substance taken.
False
Which of the following is not one of the four kinds of poisonous snakes found in the United States?
Garter snake
Which of the following statements regarding abuse of inhalants is true?
It can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Which of the following statements regarding ammonia is false?
SCBA is not required when entering an area that contains ammonia
Which of the following statements regarding patients who have absorbed poisons is false?
The affected area should be immediately washed with water.
Animal stings and bites are one type of poisoning by injection.
True
In cases of absorbed chemicals, the patient should be treated for any symptoms, shock, and breathing difficulties, if observed.
True
Injected poisons may cuase an anaphylactic reaction.
True
Many overdoses are the result of mixing alcohol with other drugs
True
Most ingested poisons can be diluted by giving the patient water to drink, provided he or she is conscious and able to swallow.
True
Permanent injury may result from snake bites
True
Shock, dizziness, itching, burning, skin rash, and inflammation or redness of the skin may all be signs and symptoms of poisoning by absorption.
True
Shock, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and fainting may all be signs and symptoms of snake bite
True
Signs of delirium tremens include shaking, restlessness, and confusion.
True
The EMR life support kit should contain the number of the poison control center.
True
The history of the patient and of the incident as well as visual clues are important in determining appropriate treatment of a patient who may have been poisoned.
True
Treatment of a patient who has absorbed a poisonous substance should begin by ensuring that the patient is no longer in contact with the toxic substance
True
Users of hallucinogens may feel no pain, so they may be in danger of injuring themselves.
True
If poison enters the body through intact skin, it may then be spread by the circulatory system. This is known as:
absorption
Delirium tremens (DTs)
are a serious and possibly fatal medical emergency
An EMR's responsibility in a call involving drug overdose includes:
arranging for prompt transport to a medical facility
The first step in treating a patient who has ingested a poison is to:
attempt to identify the poison
Activated charcoal:
binds to poisons, preventing absorption in the digestive tract
Signs and symptoms of poisoning by ingestion may include all of the following EXCEPT:
chest tightness
Your patient has been poisoned by absorption. You should first:
have the patient remove his or her clothing, then brush of the dry chemical
Drugs that stimulate the nervous system:
include amphetamines and cocaine
Which of the following is not a sign of anaphylactic shock?
increased blood pressure
If poison enters the body through the mouth, and is absorbed by the digestive system, it is called:
ingestion
If a poison enters the body through the mouth or nose and is absorbed by the mucous membranes lining the respiratory system, it is called:
inhalation
Respiratory distress, cough, dizziness, headache, and confusion may be signs of poisoning by:
inhalation
If a poison enters the body through a small opening in the skin, it may then be spread by the circulatory system. This is known as:
injection
Syrup of ipecac:
is no longer recommended to treat poisoning.
Your first priority when arriving at the scene of a call involving a suspected nerve agent should:
keeping yourself and others around you from becoming contaminated
When caringfor a patient experiencing hallucinations, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
provide the patient with auditory and visual stimulation
The first step in treating a patient who has inhaled any poison gas is to:
remove the patient from the source of the gas
If several members of one household are found at home, all with headache, nausea, disorientation, or unconsciousness, you should:
suspect carbon monoxide poisoning
After removing chemicals absorbed into clothing, responders treating patients poisoned by absorption should:
wash the patient thoroughly with a hose or a shower
