Chapter 21 Quiz

Question 1

A 49-year-old male presents with confusion, sweating, and visual hallucinations. The patient's wife tells you that he is a heavy drinker and she thinks he had a seizure shortly before your arrival. This patient is MOST likely experiencing:
Select one:
A. delirium tremens.
B. acute hypovolemia.
C. acute schizophrenia.
D. alcohol intoxication.

Answer 1

A. delirium tremens.

Question 2

A person who routinely misuses a substance and requires increasing amounts to achieve the same effect is experiencing:
Select one:
A. withdrawal.
B. tolerance.
C. dependence.
D. addiction.

Answer 2

B. tolerance.

Question 3

Activated charcoal is given to patients who have ingested certain substances because it:
Select one:
A. induces vomiting and empties the stomach.
B. decreases absorption of poisons into the lungs.
C. binds to the substance and prevents absorption.
D. is a direct antidote for many toxic substances.

Answer 3

C. binds to the substance and prevents absorption.

Question 4

An overdose of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, will MOST likely cause:
Select one:
A. liver failure.
B. kidney failure.
C. gastric ulcers.
D. CNS depression.

Answer 4

A. liver failure.

Question 5

As you enter the residence of a patient who has possibly overdosed, you should:
Select one:
A. quickly gain access to the patient.
B. be alert for personal hazards.
C. look for drug paraphernalia.
D. observe the scene for drug bottles.

Answer 5

B. be alert for personal hazards.

Question 6

Heroin is an example of a(n):
Select one:
A. sympathomimetic.
B. cholinergic.
C. opioid.
D. hypnotic.

Answer 6

C. opioid.

Question 7

How do poisons typically act to harm the body?
Select one:
A. By changing the normal metabolism of cells or by destroying them
B. By interfering with normal neurologic function
C. By causing a slowing of nearly all bodily functions
D. By causing burns and damage to either external or internal organs

Answer 7

A. By changing the normal metabolism of cells or by destroying them

Question 8

Hypotension, hypoventilation, and pinpoint pupils would be expected following an overdose of:
Select one:
A. oxycodone (Percocet).
B. ecstasy.
C. crack cocaine.
D. amphetamine sulfate (Benzedrine).

Answer 8

A. oxycodone (Percocet).

Question 9

If the victim of a toxicologic emergency vomits, an EMT should _________.
Select one:
A. safely dispose of the vomitus as soon as possible and decontaminate the vehicle as necessary.
B. use appropriate personal protective equipment and examine the vomitus for pill fragments or other clues for patient care.
C. not approach the vomitus.
D. have the patient enclose the vomitus in a container and take it to the emergency department.

Answer 9

B. use appropriate personal protective equipment and examine the vomitus for pill fragments or other clues for patient care.

Question 10

In an apparent suicide attempt, a 19-year-old female ingested a full bottle of amitriptyline (Elavil). At present, she is conscious and alert and states that she swallowed the pills approximately 30 minutes earlier. Her blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, her pulse is 140 beats/min and irregular, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. When transporting this patient, you should be MOST alert for:
Select one:
A. an increase in her blood pressure.
B. seizures and cardiac arrhythmias.
C. a sudden outburst of violence.
D. acute respiratory depression.

Answer 10

B. seizures and cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 11

Most poisonings occur via the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ route.
Select one:
A. ingestion
B. injection
C. inhalation
D. absorption

Answer 11

A. ingestion

Question 12

Of the four avenues of poisoning, generally \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the most worrisome in terms of treatment to the EMS provider.
Select one:
A. absorption
B. injection
C. ingestion
D. inhalation

Answer 12

B. injection

Question 13

The recommended treatment for absorbed or contact poisons includes _________.
Select one:
A. safely removing or diluting the poisonous substance
B. collecting and transporting the poisonous substance to the emergency department for identification
C. neutralizing the poisonous substance with a chemical
D. transporting the patient to the emergency department with the poisonous substance in place

Answer 13

A. safely removing or diluting the poisonous substance

Question 14

Victims of inhaled poisoning will require which of the following?
Select one:
A. Suctioning to clear the airway
B. Transport to an emergency department for evaluation
C. An oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal device to maintain an airway
D. Ventilation with a bag-valve mask

Answer 14

B. Transport to an emergency department for evaluation

Question 15

When caring for a known alcoholic patient with severe trauma to the chest and abdomen, you should be concerned that:
Select one:
A. long bone fractures are likely because chronic alcohol consumption weakens the structure of the bones.
B. internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood’s ability to clot.
C. delirium tremens (DTs) are commonly induced by physical trauma and can lead to life-threatening seizures.
D. signs and symptoms of shock may be masked by the stimulant effects produced by alcohol.

Answer 15

B. internal bleeding may be profuse because prolonged alcohol use may impair the blood’s ability to clot.

Question 16

Which of the following questions would be LEAST pertinent during the initial questioning of a patient who ingested a substance?
Select one:
A. Why was the substance ingested?
B. What type of substance was taken?
C. How long ago was the substance taken?
D. How much of the substance was taken?

Answer 16

A. Why was the substance ingested?

Question 17

Which of the following sets of vital signs would the EMT MOST likely encounter in a patient with acute cocaine overdose?
Select one:
A. BP, 60/40 mm Hg; pulse, 140 beats/min
B. BP, 180/100 mm Hg; pulse, 50 beats/min
C. BP, 200/100 mm Hg; pulse, 150 beats/min
D. BP, 190/90 mm Hg; pulse, 40 beats/min

Answer 17

C. BP, 200/100 mm Hg; pulse, 150 beats/min

Question 18

Which of the following statements regarding the Salmonella bacterium is correct?
Select one:
A. Refrigeration of food will prevent salmonellosis.
B. The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning.
C. Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 hours.
D. The Salmonella bacterium produces toxins that cause food poisoning.

Answer 18

B. The Salmonella bacterium itself causes food poisoning.

Question 19

You and your paramedic partner are caring for a patient who ingested codeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and hydrocodone (Vicodin). The patient is unresponsive, his breathing is slow and shallow, and his pulse is slow and weak. Treatment for this patient should include:
Select one:
A. high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
B. oxygen via a nasal cannula and atropine sulfate.
C. assisted ventilation and naloxone (Narcan).
D. assisted ventilation and flumazenil (Romazicon).

Answer 19

C. assisted ventilation and naloxone (Narcan).

Question 20

You receive a call to a residence where a man found his wife unresponsive on the couch. The patient’s respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min, her breathing is shallow, her heart rate is 40 beats/min, and her pulse is weak. The husband hands you an empty bottle of hydrocodone (Vicodin), which was refilled the day before. You should:
Select one:
A. perform a rapid head-to-toe exam.
B. contact the poison control center.
C. apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
D. ventilate her with a BVM.

Answer 20

D. ventilate her with a BVM.