Deck 46: Ems Response to Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction

Question 1

Your service has acquired the antidote for a nerve agent attack. As such, you realize that it will be given by what route?

A) Inhalation
B) Oral
C) Injection
D) Topical

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A localized terrorist attack involves pepper spray being released at a high school dance. As you respond, the incident commander reports approximately 50 people have been exposed and is calling for activation of the county disaster plan. Given the nature of the weapon, which of the following should you anticipate doing on scene?

A) Providing positive pressure ventilation
B) Decontaminating patients with diluted bleach
C) Administering an aerosolized antidote
D) Irrigating eyes with saline

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Multiple EMS agencies are involved in a WMD incident involving hundreds of patients. Which item regarding the different protocols and medical direction used by those different agencies is best?

A) EMTs should automatically be able to administer any medication that a paramedic can administer.
B) Most protocols involving on-line medical direction should convert to standing orders.
C) On-line medical direction should be used for any and all treatment by EMS.
D) All on-line medical direction should be suspended.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A chemical agent used by terrorists is described as having a high volatility. You should recognize this as meaning that the chemical is:

A) highly radioactive.
B) easily evaporated.
C) very explosive.
D) in liquid form.

Question 5

Why would iodine tablets be a benefit to administer to the general public following a nuclear bomb detonation?

A) Iodine boosts the immune system.
B) Iodine protects against all types of cancer.
C) Iodine decreases the risk for thyroid cancer.
D) Iodine helps eliminate radiation from the body.

Question 6

At a community meeting about the preparation for a biological terror attack, another member asks you how anthrax acquired naturally differs from anthrax caused by terrorism. Which of the following is your best response?

A) "Anthrax caused by terrorism is easier to treat than a disease acquired naturally."
B) "Anthrax caused by terrorism causes signs and symptoms different from anthrax acquired naturally."
C) "Anthrax can only be acquired by terrorism and not acquired naturally."
D) "Anthrax is the same regardless of whether it is intentionally inflicted or acquired naturally."

Question 7

An alert and oriented patient has been exposed to the biological toxin ricin. He presents with a fever, cough, and generalized weakness. His airway is patent and his breathing is adequate. His skin is warm and dry, and his radial pulse is weak. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate when caring for this patient?

A) Administer oxygen to the patient.
B) Apply a HEPA filter mask to the patient.
C) Obtain vital signs and transport.
D) Isolate the patient before administering further care.

Question 8

You are teaching an EMT class about the role of an EMS response to a terror attack involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). A student asks you what constitutes a WMD. You would inform him that a WMD is any:

A) agent used to cause indiscriminate death and destruction.
B) weapon used to create fear and panic among the general population.
C) agent that is intended to kill a specific segment of the population.
D) biological agent that kills people and animals but does not destroy property.

Question 9

A patient has an injury to his arm caused by an unknown vesicant. After assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation, you should:

A) brush the powder from the skin.
B) apply a wet sterile dressing to the arm.
C) flush the injured area with water.
D) transport the patient to the hospital immediately.

Question 10

For the EMT, what is the best means of protection against acquiring a disease such as smallpox prior to any sort of exposure?

A) Antibiotics
B) Immunizations
C) Face shields
D) Iodine tablets

Question 11

Which item best describes use of a weapon of mass destruction?

A) Death of 25 following an explosion in a chemical plant caused by faulty wiring
B) Death of 57 following nighttime tornadoes that struck a suburban area
C) Death of 49 people in a crowded mall following intentional dispersal of an unknown bacteria
D) Accidental release of radioactive gas from a nuclear power plant that has impacted thousands of people

Question 12

For the patient exposed to a nerve agent, which of the following signs would the EMT expect?

A) Dilated pupils
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Decreased body temperature
D) Increased salivation

Question 13

How can an EMT best protect herself, as well as get the most appropriate resources to the scene of a multiple-casualty incident involving a weapon of mass destruction?

A) Estimation of the number of fatalities and injuries
B) Identification of the specific agent or mechanism used
C) Overall determination of the number and types of injuries
D) Turning over control of the incident to Homeland Security

Question 14

Nerve agents typically cause death by what type of organ or system failure?

A) Respiratory
B) Renal
C) Cardiac
D) Liver

Question 15

You are participating in a training exercise for an attack by a weapon of mass destruction involving the release of a nerve agent. In the triage area, you are presented with a patient who responds to painful stimuli and has an open airway. He is breathing 8 times a minute and has a weak radial pulse. He is wheezing and has pinpoint pupils. In his pocket is located a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterol. When caring for this patient, you should first:

A) administer positive pressure ventilation.
B) obtain vital signs, including the temperature.
C) administer albuterol with the metered-dose inhaler.
D) look for an injury causing shock.

Question 16

A triage officer at the scene of a suicide bombing assigns you to a patient who has been injured from the secondary effects of the blast. Which of the following injuries would you expect?

A) Fractured arm after being thrown to the ground
B) Lung injury caused by the blast's pressure wave
C) Closed head injury caused by striking a tree
D) Facial laceration caused by flying glass and debris

Question 17

A patient has inhaled cyanide gas. He is alert and complaining of shortness of breath. His airway is patent, his breathing is adequate, and his radial pulse is strong. His skin is warm and dry, and his breath sounds are clear. Given these assessment findings, what should the EMT do first?

A) Administer the antidote for cyanide.
B) Monitor the patient and transport.
C) Obtain vital signs with the patient in a supine position.
D) Administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask.

Question 18

In planning for a response to an attack by a weapon of mass destruction involving an incendiary device, the EMT should be prepared to handle what types of injuries?

A) Fractures
B) Infection
C) Burns
D) Blast injuries

Question 19

Which one of the following chemical agents will kill a person most quickly?

A) Liquid vesicant that is splashed on the arm
B) Solid agent that contacts the patient's torso
C) Aerosolized agent inhaled into the lungs
D) Liquid agent that is splashed into the eyes

Question 20

At the scene of a multiple-casualty incident caused by a weapon of mass destruction, the EMT's first priority is:

A) identifying the agent or mechanism of the WMD.
B) establishing the number of dead and injured and needed resources.
C) establishing a communications system.
D) ensuring the safety of yourself and your partner.

Question 21

Which of the following statements concerning biological agents used in terrorist attacks is true?

A) Biological agents used by terrorists are more potent than those that occur naturally.
B) It may take several days to weeks to determine an attack that involves biological agents.
C) Rain is the ideal condition to disperse a biological agent since water will carry it far.
D) The eyes are the most effective portal of entry into the human body for a biological agent.

Question 22

A patient who has been exposed to an encephalitis-like agent most likely will complain of:

A) fever and confusion.
B) shortness of breath.
C) blindness and nausea.
D) pain and paralysis.

Question 23

Which type of radiation will travel the farthest and penetrate the human body with the greatest ease?

A) Alpha
B) Beta
C) Blast
D) Gamma

Question 24

Beta radiation represents the greatest threat to a person's well-being when the:

A) person is within 30 feet of the source.
B) person ingests it by eating contaminated food.
C) radiation occurs in liquid form.
D) source is heated to greater than 100°F.

Question 25

In a terrorist attack involving the use of biological toxins, which of the following is true?

A) The toxins are not nearly as dangerous as the organisms that produce them.
B) The toxins are living organisms and can easily multiply in the human body.
C) Biological toxins will typically kill a person within minutes of exposure.
D) Biological toxins cannot be passed from one person to another.

Question 26

In a nuclear explosion, the EMT should expect the majority of patients to be complaining of:

A) nausea.
B) headache.
C) burns.
D) dyspnea.

Question 27

The goal of an attack using a "dirty bomb" most likely is:

A) blast power to destroy buildings and infrastructure.
B) thermal forces to induce massive burns.
C) to disperse gamma radiation.
D) contamination of an area with radioactivity.