1: Intro to Toxicology and Specimen Handling

Question 1

The first forensic toxicologist in the United States is believed to have been:

Answer 1

A. Gettler

Question 2

The first text written on the subject of forensic toxicology was contributed by:

Answer 2

M. Orfilla

Question 3

All of the following are physiological effects of THC except:

Tachycardia

Reddening of the conjunctivae

Increased aggressiveness

Increased reaction time

Answer 3

Increased aggressiveness

Question 4

The saying, “The dose makes the poison” is attributed to:

Answer 4

Paracelsus

Question 5

In a suspected chronic poisoning, the best single specimen for elucidation of the role of heavy metals is:

Urine

Synovial fluid

Hair

Whole blood

Serum

Answer 5

Hair

Question 6

Sodium fluoride has been found effective as a preservative when present in whole blood at a concentration of:

Answer 6

1.0%

Question 7

This collection container does not contain any preservative or anticoagulant:

Answer 7

Red

Question 8

Impairment should not be established from a drug concentration in isolation of other information including the outcome of standardized field sobriety tests.

True
False

Answer 8

True

Question 9

The effects of an inhalant such as difluoroethane progress from euphoria and altered perception to complete loss of consciousness.

True
False

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Dilated pupils are an indication that a person is under the influence of a narcotic analgesic and constricted pupils are an indication that a person is under the influence of a stimulant.

True
False

Answer 10

False

Question 11

Alcohol acts at inhibitory neurons in the brain; it produces HGN.

True
False

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Plasma collection containers do not have an anticoagulant.

True
False

Answer 12

False

Question 13

In regard to a DRE evaluation there are eight drug classes.

True
False

Answer 13

False

There are 7: CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, PCP, Narcotic Analgesics, Cannabis

Question 14

Blood has these four main components:

Answer 14

Plasma, Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets

Question 15

The most abundant cells in the blood, accounting for up to 45% of its volume are:

Answer 15

Red Blood Cells

Question 16

Red Blood Cells contain a protein called ___________ which helps carry ___________ from the lungs to the rest of the body and then returns carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs so it can be exhaled.

Answer 16

Hemoglobin/Oxygen

Question 17

___________ contains a clotting protein called fibrinogen.

Plasma

Serum

Answer 17

Plasma (think plasma = protein)

Question 18

When a urine sample contains a substance that is not a normal constituent or containing an endogenous substance at a concentration that is not a normal physiological concentration, this is:

Answer 18

Adulterated

Question 19

When a urine sample has creatinine and specific gravity values that are lower than expected, this is:

Answer 19

Dilute

Question 20

After oral ingestion of alcohol, the largest portion of the dose is generally absorbed from the:

Answer 20

Small Intestine

Question 21

When death occurs five hours as a result of tricyclic antidepressant overdose, the highest concentration of drug would be expected to be found in:

Hair

Blood

Muscle

Liver

Answer 21

Liver

Question 22

Site- and time-related blood drug concentration variations after death is referred to as:

Answer 22

Postmortem redistribution

Question 23

The most appropriate collection container to use for trace metal analysis is:

Answer 23

Royal Blue Top Tube

Question 24

When blood is unavailable and carboxyhemoglobin testing is required the next best specimen to use is:

Answer 24

Spleen

Question 25

What can be used to estimate a person’s blood alcohol concentration:

Answer 25

Widmark Formula

Question 26

These substances displace oxygen:

Answer 26

Inhalents

Question 27

This substance is endogenously produced and cleared from the body by the kidneys:

Answer 27

Creatinine

Question 28

Under SAMHSA guidelines, this is measured if the creatinine level is
< 20 mg/dL:

pH

Specific Gravity

Creatinine

Color (pigment content)

Answer 28

Specific Gravity

Question 29

Under SAMHSA guidelines, a test result may be “Rejected for Testing” due to:

The presence of glutaraldehyde

Abnormal physical characteristics

A Fatal Flaw

Abnormal pH

Immunoassay interference

Answer 29

A Fatal Flaw

Question 30

A specimen that contains an unidentified adulterant, or an unknown interfering substance, or has abnormal physical characteristics, or has an endogenous substance at an abnormal concentration that prevents the lab from obtaining a valid drug test result is reported by the laboratory as:

Rejected for testing

Substituted

Adulterated

Invalid

Cancelled

Answer 30

Invalid

Question 31

The two major set of rules that govern the practice of drug testing in the Federal Workplace and in that regulated by the Department of Transportation are:

Answer 31

HHS Guidelines and CFR Part 40

Question 32

This publication is from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences:

Answer 32

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Question 33

Grey Top tubes contain:

Answer 33

1 % sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate