CBRN Flashcards
Routes of entry for a chemical agent
Inhalation
Absobsion
Ingestion
Classifications of chemical agent
Lethal
Incapacitating
Damaging
Means of delivery of a chemical agent
Bursting Munitions
Air delivery
Contamination
Definition of a chemical agent
“Chemical substance which is intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate man through its physiological effects. Excluded are riot control agents, herbicides, smoke and flame.”
Definition on a blister agent.
A liquid that damages cell DNA resulting in death of exposure of tissue.
Signs and symptoms of a blister agent.
Eye contamination
- slow onset
- burning pain/ conjunctivitis
- streaming eyes
- photophobia
- temporary blindness
- corneal ulsteration
Contamination of the skin
- slow onset
- local redness
- blistering of the skin on contact areas
- deep destruction of tissues
Contamination of respiratory tract
- slow on set
- runny nose hoarseness and cough
- rapid shallow breathing
- severe respiratory distress & cyanosis
- pulmonary oedema
- pneumothorax
- bronchitis or pneumonia
Treatment of Blister agents
- Use BAL for lewsite
- Wash off with copious amount of water
- If eyes are contaminated:
• wash out with water - decontaminate with DKP1 an water
- dress any blisters DO NOT break blister fluid.
-calcium hypochlorite 0.5%
What is a choking agent
A choking agent can also be described as a pulmonary agent
Signs and symptoms of a choking agent
May be slow onset 5min - 24 hrs
Mild - eye irritation
Moderate - airway irritation
Severe - pulmonary oedema, death
Treatment of a choking agent
• Remove patient from source
• Keep patient at rest
• When in safe location
- remove respirator
- give vectorise 50mg inhaler 10 puffs STAT
- continue with 5 puffs hourly for 10 hours
- If respiratory distress continues extract to COLPRO and continue secondary care
Definition of a blood agent
A blood agent is a lethal non- persistent agent that is taken into the body via inhalation, the blood agent acts at a cellular level in the mitochondria, thus preventing the uptake if oxygen.
Signs and symptoms of a blood agent
• in high concentrations - immediate irreversible death • low level concentration - Cherry red complexion - uncontrollable deep breathing - irritation of eyes & nose (no pupil change) - tightness of chest/ coughing - headaches, dizziness and nausea
Treatment for blood agents
- ensure respirator is still fitted correctly
- remove patient for are of contamination
- if patient is not breathing use BVM
- place amyl nitrate into face mask ( not in conjunction with O2)
- evacuate
Survival rate of blood agent
5 mins and is conscious full recovery possible
15 mins conscious 100% survival rate
What is a nerve agent
A nerve agent is potentially a lethal chemical agent usually a organophosphate which interrupts the transmission of nerve impulses
