Deck 21: Poisoning and Overdose Emergencies

Question 1

How does carbon monoxide cause toxic effects?

A) Causes red blood cells to clump together
B) Prevents the blood from clotting
C) Prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen
D) Prevents red blood cells from releasing carbon dioxide

Answer 1

Prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen

Question 2

Which of the following is LEAST often seen in carbon monoxide poisoning?

A) Nausea
B) Cherry red lips
C) Confusion
D) Headache

Answer 2

Cherry red lips

Question 3

Which of the following is one of the MOST common inhaled poisons associated with fire suppression?

A) Carbon dioxide
B) Methane gas
C) Polyvinyl chloride
D) Carbon monoxide

Answer 3

Carbon monoxide

Question 4

Which of the following is a substance that will neutralize a poison or its effects?

A) Deactivator
B) Antidote
C) Antevert
D) Curative

Question 5

Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected when a patient has n in an enclosed area and has which of the following signs and/or symptoms?

A) Headache, dizziness, and nausea
B) Flu-like symptoms
C) Vomiting and altered mental status
D) All of the above

Question 6

Which of the following describes any substance produced by a living organism that is poisonous to human beings?

A) Antibody
B) Acid
C) Toxin
D) Antigen

Question 7

You have just arrived on the scene of an agricultural business and see three men coming out of a building,choking and holding their heads.One of the men tells you there are two workers still inside.What should you do next?

A) Call for properly trained assistance and stay a safe distance away from the scene.
B) Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel and check on the status of the two workers inside the building.
C) Get the assistance of the men who made it out of the building to prevent delay in finding the workers inside.
D) Evaluate the three men and administer high-concentration oxygen, then help them get a safe distance away from the scene.

Question 8

By definition,a systemic poison causes harm to which of the following?

A) Stomach and intestines
B) Localized areas of tissue
C) Specific organ system
D) Entire body

Question 9

It is a chilly fall morning and you are called to an RV campground for three patients who are complaining of headache,dizziness,and nausea.Your primary assessment reveals that they are cyanotic and have an altered mental status.You suspect:

A) snake bite.
B) bee sting.
C) food poisoning.
D) carbon monoxide poisoning.

Question 10

Which of the following is a common sign and symptom in poisonings of all types?

A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Dizziness and palpitations
C) Headache and diaphoresis
D) Pain and diaphoresis

Question 11

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs by which of the following routes?

A) Absorption
B) Inhalation
C) Radiation
D) Aspiration

Question 12

The term poison is BEST described as any substance that can do which of the following?

A) Increase cellular activity
B) Deactivate nerve transmission
C) Depress the body's respirations
D) Harm the body

Question 13

Volatile chemicals are agents that are able to change easily from a ________ form to a ________ form.

A) solid; vapor
B) solid; liquid
C) gas; liquid
D) liquid; gas

Question 14

You are called to a farm for a possible organophosphate poisoning of one of the workers.Your first action is to:

A) decontaminate the patient.
B) bag the patient before he dies.
C) call for specialized hazardous materials units.
D) call for an ALS unit.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true concerning a patient's reaction to toxic gas exposure?

A) If the patient is treated immediately, there will be no long-term effects.
B) Signs and symptoms may be delayed.
C) The patient may present without respiratory difficulty.
D) Signs and symptoms may be immediate and severe.

Question 16

Which of the following is the cause of the black residue found in a patient's mouth and nose following smoke inhalation?

A) Tar
B) Carbon monoxide
C) Cyanide
D) Carbon

Question 17

Which of the following MOST affects the extent of damage a poison does to the body?

A) Patient's race, age, and medications taken
B) Patient's genetics, height, and medications taken
C) Patient's nutritional status, genetics, and strength of the immune system
D) Patient's age, weight, and general health

Question 18

Most cases of accidental poisoning involve which of the following?

A) Infants
B) Adults
C) Adolescents
D) Young children

Question 19

Which of the following groups is the most susceptible to the effects of a poison?

A) Pre-teens
B) Adults
C) Elderly
D) Teenager

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a way in which poisons can access the body?

A) Injection
B) Inhalation
C) Radiation
D) Absorption

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT part of the treatment for a 15-year-old female who has swallowed drain cleaner?

A) Call medical control.
B) Administer milk or water.
C) Maintain the airway.
D) Administer activated charcoal.

Question 22

Your patient is a 17-year-old male who is spitting and coughing after swallowing some gasoline while siphoning from a gas tank.Which of the following should you do first?

A) Administer syrup of ipecac.
B) Insert a Combitube or another blind insertion device, if you are trained to do so.
C) Have the patient drink a glass of milk.
D) Contact medical control.

Question 23

Why would an EMT give activated charcoal to a patient who overdosed on the medication Soma?

A) Activated charcoal is the antidote to Soma poisoning.
B) Activated charcoal prevents the patient from vomiting.
C) Activated charcoal coats the intestinal tract, preventing absorption by the body.
D) Activated charcoal binds to the Soma, preventing absorption by the body.

Question 24

Your patient is a 3-year-old male with a stoma who has swallowed a household cleaner.Medical direction gives you an order for milk to dilute the stomach contents.Which of the following is the correct way of carrying out this order?

A) Administer one glass of milk through the stoma.
B) Have the patient drink one glass of milk.
C) Have the patient drink a glass of milk while you plug the stoma to prevent leakage.
D) Refuse the order and explain why.

Question 25

Which of the following is a trade name for activated charcoal?

A) Actifed
B) Charcoal
C) Actidose
D) Mesquite

Question 26

When a poison attaches to the chemical structure of activated charcoal,which of the following BEST describes this mechanism of action?

A) Absorption
B) Inactivation
C) Incorporation
D) Adsorption

Question 27

Regarding activated charcoal,which of the following is NOT true?

A) Ingestion of strong acids or alkalis is a contraindication to its use.
B) It is an antidote to many poisons.
C) It can reduce the amount of poison absorbed by the gastrointestinal system.
D) It does not work on all poisons.

Question 28

Which patient would most likely benefit from the administration of activated charcoal?

A) 18-year-old patient who is passed out from drinking too much beer
B) 45-year-old patient suffering from organophosphate poisoning
C) 14-year-old female who overdoses on her grandfather's cardiac medication
D) 8-year-boy who has a headache from carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 29

You are called to the scene of a 21-year-old female patient who is unresponsive.Her boyfriend suspects that she tried to commit suicide by overdosing on her depression medications.The patient is unresponsive to painful stimuli,with agonal respirations,and has vomited.She has a weak carotid pulse.After securing the airway and providing oxygen by bag-valve mask,what is the MOST important question the EMT can ask regarding the medication?

A) How many pills did she take?
B) Were the medications new?
C) What medication did she take?
D) Why is she on that particular depression medication?

Question 30

Your patient is a 7-year-old male who ate an unknown type of mushroom on a dare by his friends.You should ask all of the following questions except:

A) When did you eat the mushroom?
B) Are there any more of the mushrooms?
C) Why did you eat the mushroom?
D) How much did you eat?

Question 31

Your patient is a 3-year-old female who has taken an unknown quantity of aspirin.She is conscious and alert.Which of the following orders is likely to be given by medical control?

A) Administer one to two glasses of milk.
B) Administer activated charcoal.
C) Induce vomiting by placing your finger in the child's throat.
D) Administer syrup of ipecac.

Question 32

Your patient is a conscious 16-year-old female who has ingested an unknown number of sleeping pills.Which of the following questions is LEAST pertinent to the care of this patient?

A) How much do you weigh?
B) Who do these sleeping pills belong to?
C) Over what period of time did you take the pills?
D) Has anyone tried to treat you with anything?

Question 33

You are called to the residence of a 78-year-old widow who lives alone with no children.She was found by neighbors on the floor of the living room.She has fallen and fractured her left humerus.She is disoriented and responds to verbal stimuli only.She has a blood pressure of 78/40 and a pulse of 48.She has a history of high blood pressure and takes medication for it.She also takes medication for high cholesterol and a medication to slow down a fast heart rate.Emergency Medical Responders find the medication bottles in the medicine cabinet and they are empty.Your partner suspects that she accidentally overdosed on her medications.Do you agree or disagree?

A) Agree. The vital signs agree with this hypothesis.
B) Disagree. The patient's vital signs are related to her broken arm.
C) Agree. It is obvious that the broken arm is causing the decreased heart rate.
D) Disagree. The vital signs indicate that she has not taken her medication in several days.

Question 34

Which of the following substances may be ordered by medical control to dilute a poison?

A) Milk of magnesia or magnesium citrate
B) Milk or water
C) Milk or milk of magnesia
D) Water with syrup of ipecac

Question 35

Which patient would MOST likely benefit from the administration of activated charcoal?

A) Alert 16-year-old female who overdosed on Tylenol®
B) 48-year-old man who attempted suicide by drinking Drano®
C) Unresponsive 28-year-old female who overdosed on sleeping pills
D) 28-year-old male who is suffering from food poisoning after eating eggs contaminated with salmonella

Question 36

Why should an EMT utilize a local poison control center in managing a poisoning patient?

A) It places any legal liability on the poison control center.
B) They can activate a specialty team to come and treat the patient.
C) It prevents the EMT from having to do training on poisons.
D) They can assist in finding out important information about the poison.

Question 37

Your patient is a 38-year-old male who has taken an overdose of several different medications and has consumed some household cleaning agents as well.On your arrival,the patient only responds to painful stimuli,and has a heart rate of 90 beats per minute with a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute.Medical control orders you to give the patient two to three glasses of milk to drink to dilute the contents of the stomach.Which of the following actions should you do?

A) Assist the patient in drinking only one glass of milk to reduce the risk of aspiration.
B) Ask medical control if you can substitute water for the milk since water will not damage the lungs if aspirated.
C) Refuse the order and explain why.
D) Assist the patient in drinking as much of the two to three glasses of milk as he can.

Question 38

Which of the following statements regarding syrup of ipecac is NOT true?

A) It has an immediate action.
B) It can cause a patient to aspirate stomach contents into the lungs.
C) It removes only about one-third of stomach contents.
D) It causes emesis in all patients with a single dose.

Question 39

Your patient is a conscious 4-year-old female who has ingested a medication prescribed for her grandfather.To determine appropriate treatment,which of the following information is NOT necessary to provide to medical control?

A) Patient's weight and the amount of medication taken
B) Patient's vital signs and the time the medication was taken
C) Any home remedies attempted by the patient's family
D) Grandfather's name and the name of the physician who prescribed the medication

Question 40

Your patient is a 2-year-old conscious male who has swallowed a small quantity of bleach.Which of the following findings should you evaluate the patient for?

A) Dilated pupils
B) Irregular pulse
C) Irritation in and around the mouth
D) Respiratory depression

Question 41

You respond to the county jail for a 48-year-old inmate arrested two days ago for public intoxication.Guards state the patient is a known alcoholic and "frequent flier." The guards state that for several hours the patient was "acting crazy" and seeing "bugs on the walls." The patient then began seizing and they called for an ambulance.You notice the patient is no longer seizing,diaphoretic,or confused.What condition do you suspect?

A) Acute episode of paranoid schizophrenia
B) Alcohol poisoning
C) LSD abuse
D) Delirium tremens

Question 42

When a substance enters the body through unbroken skin,it has entered the body by which of the following routes?

A) Absorption
B) Ingestion
C) Injection
D) Consumption

Question 43

Your patient is a 50-year-old female with a history of alcoholism.She is found unresponsive in bed by her son.Which of the following possibilities should you keep in mind during your assessment?

A) Low blood sugar
B) Head injury
C) Heart attack
D) All of the above

Question 44

Your patient is a 48-year-old male who has n exposed to a toxic powder that can be absorbed through the skin.Which of the following measures should be taken by the EMT?

A) Wipe the powder away with a damp cloth.
B) Brush off the powder and flush the patient's skin with a solution of baking soda and water.
C) Flush the patient's skin with copious amounts of water.
D) Brush off the powder and flush the patient's skin with copious amounts of water.

Question 45

Which of the following is the BEST initial intervention for a patient who has inhaled a poison?

A) Provide plenty of fresh air and monitor pulse oximetry readings.
B) Perform abdominal thrusts to clear the airway, followed by high-concentration oxygen.
C) Transport in a position of comfort and provide oxygen for patients with a decreased level of consciousness.
D) Provide a patent airway, ventilation, and high-concentration oxygen.

Question 46

You are treating a 61-year-old who is a chronic alcohol abuser.He is complaining of "snakes slithering around his ankles," and he tells you that he had only two drinks tonight.You notice that he is sweating,trembling,and anxious.Before you can complete your assessment,he begins to have a seizure.Which of the following is the most likely cause of this situation?

A) The patient could not find an alcoholic beverage and drank antifreeze instead.
B) The patient is suffering from alcohol withdrawal.
C) The patient drank mouthwash instead of beverage alcohol.
D) The patient is suffering from acute alcohol poisoning.

Question 47

Which of the following conditions can mimic the signs of alcohol intoxication?

A) Epilepsy
B) Head injuries
C) Diabetes
D) All of the above

Question 48

Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include all of the following except:

A) swaying and unsteadiness of movement.
B) confusion.
C) nausea and vomiting.
D) an acetone or ketone odor to the breath.

Question 49

Which of the following is the MOST important means of managing a patient who has inhaled a poison,after the airway has been established?

A) Hyperventilation
B) High concentrations of oxygen
C) Monitoring pulse oximetry
D) Administering a specific antidote

Question 50

Which of the following is the immediate toxic effect of alcohol?

A) Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation
B) Damage to the liver
C) Central nervous system depression
D) Irreversible damage to the kidneys

Question 51

Which of the following would LEAST likely indicate that an emergency is due to drugs or alcohol?

A) Empty liquor bottles at the scene
B) Hospital discharge order with a pain prescription
C) Unresponsive patient with unequal pupils
D) Open sores and scars to the upper arms

Question 52

Your patient has come in contact with a strong acid substance.Using an alkaline solution to treat the patient may result in which of the following?

A) Production of heat when the acid and alkali interact
B) Further damage to the patient's tissues
C) Neutralization of the acid substance
D) All of the above

Question 53

Which of the following is a sign or symptom of withdrawal from alcohol?

A) Seizures
B) Sweating
C) Hallucinations
D) All of the above

Question 54

What clinical finding is MOST suggestive of an inhaled poison?

A) Altered mental status
B) Tachypnea
C) Black-colored sputum
D) Swollen tongue

Question 55

By what route does nitroglycerin spray enter the body?

A) Inhalation
B) Ingestion
C) Absorption
D) Injection

Question 56

Which of the following effects may occur due to chronic abuse of alcohol?

A) Abnormal blood sugar levels
B) Poor nutrition
C) Potential for gastrointestinal bleeding
D) All of the above

Question 57

Your patient is an 18-year-old male who fell into a neighbor's swimming pool but was pulled out by bystanders.The neighbors report that the patient wandered into their yard and that he said he had a "funny numb feeling" in his head and his chest hurt before stumbling into the pool.As you are performing CPR,you notice that the mucous membranes in his mouth and nose are swollen.Which of the following would account for the patient's behavior and current condition?

A) Volatile chemicals
B) GHB
C) Methamphetamine
D) Carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 58

A patient has a dry powder poison covering both upper extremities and chest.You should:

A) cover the patient's arms with a burn sheet to preserve the powder for the emergency room.
B) immediately wash the powder off to prevent further exposure.
C) brush the powder off and irrigate the contaminated area with large amounts of water.
D) flush the area with large amounts of water and then brush the remaining poison off.

Question 59

Smoke inhalation can result in all of the following except:

A) airway swelling and obstruction.
B) cardiac arrest.
C) lung contusion.
D) respiratory arrest.

Question 60

Which of the following is an injury that commonly occurs in alcoholic patients with even minor falls and blows to the head?

A) Subdural hematoma
B) Concussion
C) Intracerebral hematoma
D) Skull fracture

Question 61

You are called to the scene of a 14-year-old female patient who is unresponsive.Her mother states she has n teased and bullied at school and she suspects that she tried to commit suicide by taking her pain pills.The patient is unresponsive to painful stimuli,with agonal respirations,and has vomited.She has a weak carotid pulse.Your first action is to:

A) administer oxygen by bag-valve mask (BVM).
B) administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask (NRB).
C) administer an oropharyngeal airway (OPA).
D) suction the patient's airway.

Question 62

You respond to assist law enforcement with a 35-year-old male patient who,according to them,is "high as a kite." The patient is anxious,tachycardic,and angry.What condition do you suspect?

A) GHB overdose
B) Marijuana overdose
C) Alcohol overdose
D) Cocaine overdose

Question 63

A patient who has abused "uppers" will display which of the following signs and symptoms?

A) Dilated pupils, excessive salivation, and food cravings
B) Excessive talkativeness, dilated pupils, and dry mouth
C) Constricted pupils, hypotension, and blurred vision
D) Slurred speech, constricted pupils, and frequent urination

Question 64

OxyContin is an example of which of the following types of drugs?

A) Narcotic
B) Antidepressant
C) Appetite suppressant
D) Barbiturate

Question 65

You are called to the scene of a 17-year-old female patient who is unresponsive.Her mother suspects that she tried to commit suicide by taking her pain pills.The patient is unresponsive to painful stimuli,has agonal respirations,and has vomited.She has a weak carotid pulse.After securing the airway and providing oxygen by bag-valve mask,what is your next action?

A) Perform a rapid physical examination of the patient.
B) Ask the mother the name of her pain medication.
C) Question the mother about the patient's suicidal tendencies.
D) Perform a focused assessment.

Question 66

You are called to the scene of a local night club for a 21-year-old female patient who is bradycardic and in respiratory arrest.The patient's airway is patent and the chest easily rises with bag-valve-mask ventilation.The patient's friends state the patient had only one or two drinks when she suddenly complained of dizziness and "seeing things." Her friends state that she then passed out,started twitching like she was seizing,and then stopped.Her friends adamantly state that she does not do drugs.What situation do you suspect?

A) Alcohol overdose
B) GHB overdose
C) Anaphylactic reaction to the alcoholic drink
D) Cocaine overdose

Question 67

Cleaning fluid,glue,and model cement are common examples of which of the following?

A) Hallucinogens
B) Narcotics
C) Volatile chemicals
D) Aromatic spirits

Question 68

The drug ecstasy is classified as what type of drug?

A) Depressant
B) Hallucinogen
C) Barbiturate
D) Tranquilizer

Question 69

Barbiturates may be referred to as which of the following?

A) Downers
B) Meth
C) Acid
D) Uppers

Question 70

When a chemical substance is taken for reasons other than therapeutic use,this action is called:

A) tolerance.
B) psychological dependence.
C) substance abuse.
D) addiction.

Question 71

The opiate triad includes all of the following except:

A) hypertension.
B) pinpoint pupils.
C) coma.
D) respiratory depression.

Question 72

What is the most important treatment for a patient who has inhaled a poison?

A) Administer the correct antidote.
B) Administer high-concentration oxygen.
C) Administer activated charcoal.
D) Administer epinephrine via auto-injector.

Question 73

Your patient is a 23-year-old male who is unresponsive in the restroom of a bar.His respirations are slow and shallow,he has a heart rate of 50 beats per minute,he is sweating profusely,and he has constricted pupils.Which of the following substances is MOST likely responsible for the patient's condition?

A) Heroin
B) Ecstasy
C) LSD
D) PCP

Question 74

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)is an example of which of the following types of drugs?

A) Cannabis
B) Stimulant
C) Volatile spirit
D) Depressant

Question 75

Which of the following types of drugs may induce sleep or stupor?

A) Tranquilizers
B) Narcotics
C) Hallucinogens
D) Both A and B