Chapter 27 Toxicology Flashcards
- A poison is a substance that is:
A) toxic by nature, no matter how it enters the body or in what quantities it is taken.
B) damaging to the tissues and cells, especially if injected or taken in large quantities.
C) legal or illegal, and has the potential of causing permanent damage if it is ingested.
D) capable of making a person ill, at a minimum, and has a great chance of causing death.
Ans: A
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2. A therapeutic dose of Valium simply relaxes one person, but causes severe central nervous system depression in another patient. This is an example of: A) synergism. B) potentiation. C) hypersensitivity. D) an idiosyncrasy.
Ans: D
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- The bioavailability and excretion rate of a toxin are influenced by the:
A) amount of toxin and the relative speed at which it is metabolized.
B) type of toxin and the condition of the patient’s underlying health.
C) route by which the toxin entered the body and the age of the patient.
D) the presence of other substances in the body at the time of exposure.
Ans: A
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- Management for an ingested poison focuses mainly on:
A) the prompt induction of vomiting.
B) administering a counteracting agent.
C) neutralizing the poison in the stomach.
D) treating the systemic effects that result.
Ans: C
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- When poisoning occurs because of a toxic environment:
A) the patient typically does not present with symptoms for hours.
B) you are more likely to encounter more than one patient at the scene.
C) you should limit your exposure to the environment to less than 5 minutes.
D) exposure continues, even after the patient is removed from the environment.
Ans: B
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- From an anatomic and physiologic perspective, inhaled toxins:
A) generally provide a large window of opportunity for treatment.
B) quickly reach the alveoli and rapidly gain access to the circulatory system.
C) typically take between 15 and 20 minutes to exert a systemic effect.
D) often take several hours before clinical signs and symptoms manifest.
Ans: B
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7. Clinical signs and symptoms following exposure to a toxin will manifest MOST rapidly if the patient: A) is older than 70 years of age. B) ingests a large quantity of toxin. C) breathes in the toxic chemical. D) is exposed by the injection route.
Ans: D
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8. Which of the following toxins causes the MOST serious consequences when absorbed through the skin? A) Dry lime B) Poison oak C) Pesticides D) Sulfuric acid
Ans: C
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- Unlike an opioid, an opiate:
A) is a natural product derived from opium.
B) produces a distinctly different toxidrome.
C) is not reversed by naloxone administration.
D) is a synthetic, non–opium-derived narcotic.
Ans: A
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10. You would NOT expect a person using methamphetamine to present with: A) insomnia. B) bradypnea. C) restlessness. D) hypertension.
Ans: B
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11. Exposure to sarin or tabun would result in: A) hyperthermia. B) pupillary dilation. C) severe tachycardia. D) excessive lacrimation.
Ans: D
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12. Any sympathomimetic drug will cause: A) ataxia. B) tachycardia. C) hallucinations. D) hypothermia.
Ans: B
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13. Which of the following drugs is classified as an anticholinergic? A) Diazinon B) Atropine C) Thiopental D) Phenylephrine
Ans: B
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14. You would expect a person to be hypertensive and tachycardic following exposure to all of the following, EXCEPT: A) cocaine. B) parathion. C) phenobarbital. D) pseudoephedrine.
Ans: C
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15. The odor of bitter almonds on a patient's breath should make you suspicious for exposure to: A) cyanide. B) arsenic. C) phosphorus. D) turpentine.
Ans: A
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16. An acetone breath odor is common following exposure to all of the following toxins, EXCEPT: A) aspirin. B) isopropyl alcohol. C) camphor. D) methyl alcohol.
Ans: C
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17. Most ingested poisons will cause: A) headache and seizures. B) tremors and weakness. C) salivation and coma. D) nausea and vomiting.
Ans: D
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- Drug abuse is MOST accurately defined as:
A) the habitual use of illicit drugs for the purpose of inducing a euphoric feeling.
B) any use of drugs that causes physical, psychological, or legal harm to the user.
C) the use of legal medications that is not in accordance with a physician’s order.
D) inadvertent misuse of a licit or illicit drug that causes physical harm to the user.
Ans: B
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19. The emotional state of craving a drug to maintain a feeling of well-being is called: A) addiction. B) habituation. C) physical dependence. D) psychological dependence.
Ans: D
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20. A middle-aged woman who has been taking 2 mg of clonazepam each day for 6 months finds that she now requires 4 mg each day to achieve the same effect. This is an example of: A) tolerance. B) drug abuse. C) habituation. D) physical dependence.
Ans: A
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21. A person who compulsively uses a drug, despite the fact that he or she knows the drug will cause physical or psychological harm, is: A) tolerant. B) addicted. C) dependent. D) an abuser.
Ans: B
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- Alcohol potentiates Valium. This means that:
A) Valium makes alcohol a toxic substance.
B) alcohol antagonizes the effects of Valium.
C) alcohol enhances the effects of Valium.
D) the use of alcohol negates the use of Valium.
Ans: C
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- Which of the following statements regarding alcoholism is correct?
A) A person who consumes alcohol is considered to be physically dependent if abrupt cessation of drinking causes withdrawal symptoms.
B) Patients with alcoholism typically do not become psychologically dependent on alcohol until they have been drinking for many years.
C) Delirium tremens occur any time a person suddenly stops drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, regardless of whether or not he or she is addicted.
D) Increased blood pressure and hallucinations are common physical manifestations when a short-term alcoholic slowly tapers his or her consumption.
Ans: A
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24. Which of the following is atypical of an alcoholic? A) Drinking early in the day B) Green tongue syndrome C) Memory loss or blackouts D) Chronically pale face and palms
Ans: D
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- Patients with alcoholism are prone to subdural hematomas and gastrointestinal bleeding because:
A) they fall more frequently than sober people.
B) their blood-clotting mechanisms are impaired.
C) they are at higher risk for violent assault.
D) alcohol causes significant immunocompromise.
Ans: B
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26. Toxic effects of alcohol on the liver include all of the following, EXCEPT: A) coagulopathy. B) hypoglycemia. C) hyperglycemia. D) gastrointestinal bleeding.
Ans: C
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27. Which of the following is the MOST immediate danger to an unresponsive patient with acute alcohol intoxication? A) Acute hypovolemia B) Aspiration of vomitus C) Profound bradycardia D) Ventricular dysrhythmias
Ans: B
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28. Symptoms of delirium tremens usually begin within \_\_\_ to \_\_\_ hours after the last alcohol intake. A) 12, 24 B) 24, 48 C) 48, 72 D) 72, 96
Ans: C
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29. Patients with delirium tremens often experience: A) hallucinations. B) AV heart blocks. C) hypothermia. D) acute hypertension.
Ans: A
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- When caring for an unresponsive patient with a toxicologic emergency, you should:
A) intubate at once, obtain baseline vital signs, transport immediately, and perform all other interventions en route to the hospital.
B) administer high-flow oxygen, perform a detailed secondary assessment, obtain vital signs, and transport to the closest hospital.
C) try to neutralize any ingested toxins, secure a definitive airway, obtain baseline vital signs, start an IV line, and transport as soon as possible.
D) protect the airway, perform a rapid assessment, obtain vital signs, try to gather a medical history from the family, and transport promptly.
Ans: D
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Type: General Knowledge
31. Which of the following interventions is influenced strongly by the amount of time that has elapsed since a patient ingested a toxic substance? A) Transport B) IV therapy C) Intubation D) Gastric lavage
Ans: D
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Type: General Knowledge
- Which of the following questions often yields the LEAST reliable answer when questioning a patient who intentionally exposed himself or herself to a toxic substance?
A) Have you vomited?
B) Why did you take the substance?
C) When did you take the substance?
D) How much of the substance did you take?
Ans: B
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33. Your FIRST priority when dealing with a patient who may have overdosed is to: A) ascertain what the patient took. B) enter the scene carefully. C) request law enforcement. D) assess the patient's airway.
Ans: C
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Type: General Knowledge
- The clinical presentation of a stimulant abuser includes:
A) excitement, hypertension, tachycardia, and dilated pupils.
B) somnolence, hypotension, bradycardia, and a staggering gait.
C) hypotension, tachycardia, constricted pupils, and hypothermia.
D) an irregular pulse, hyperpyrexia, hypotension, and bradycardia.
Ans: A
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35. Crack is a combination of: A) cocaine, baking soda, and water. B) marijuana, heroin, and baking soda. C) heroin, cocaine, and distilled water. D) ecstasy, marijuana, and alcohol.
Ans: A
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36. Which of the following ECG abnormalities is MOST suggestive of cocaine toxicity? A) Narrowing of the PR interval B) Marked flattening of the T wave C) Narrowing of the QRS complex D) Prolongation of the QT interval
Ans: D
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- A person who is “speedballing” is:
A) highly addicted to methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana and mixes all three drugs together to achieve various levels of euphoria.
B) using cocaine in combination with heroin, by injecting them either underneath the skin or directly into a vein, in order to regulate the high.
C) packaging cocaine in small plastic bags and swallowing them for the purpose of transporting the cocaine from one location to another location.
D) using heroin to withdraw or detoxify himself or herself from cocaine by gradually increasing the amounts of heroin taken while decreasing the amounts of cocaine used.
Ans: B
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- Which of the following types of medications does NOT contain amphetamine?
A) Diet pills
B) Nasal decongestants
C) Drugs used to treat insomnia
D) Drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder
Ans: C
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39. Unlike the effects of cocaine, the effects of methamphetamine: A) last much longer. B) often result in paranoia. C) can be reversed with naloxone. D) predispose the patient to violence.
Ans: A
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40. Appropriate prehospital treatment for a patient who has overdosed on a stimulant and is excessively tachycardic and violent includes all of the following, EXCEPT: A) IM haloperidol. B) beta-adrenergic antagonists. C) benzodiazepines if seizures occur. D) fluid boluses if hypotension occurs.
Ans: B
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41. Signs and symptoms of marijuana use include all of the following, EXCEPT: A) euphoria. B) drowsiness. C) bloodshot eyes. D) decreased appetite.
Ans: D
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42. LSD is classified as a: A) psychedelic. B) hallucinogen. C) sympatholytic. D) sedative/hypnotic.
Ans: B
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43. A 100-pound violent young woman who requires four large paramedics to subdue and contain her is MOST likely under the influence of: A) PCP. B) LSD. C) ketamine. D) mescaline.
Ans: A
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- Priority care for an unresponsive patient who has overdosed on phenobarbital includes:
A) administering oxygen and giving naloxone.
B) administering diazepam to prevent seizures.
C) securing the airway and preventing aspiration.
D) observing the ECG closely for lethal dysrhythmias.
Ans: C
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45. Fluid-refractory hypotension following a barbiturate overdose is treated MOST effectively with: A) dopamine. B) naloxone. C) atropine. D) calcium.
Ans: A
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46. Which of the following interventions generally is preferred for a patient who overdosed on a barbiturate more than 1 hour ago? A) Gastric lavage B) Syrup of ipecac C) Urine alkalinization D) Activated charcoal
Ans: D
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Type: General Knowledge