Chapter 39 - Terrorism Response & Disaster Management

Question 1

A 52-year-old male presents with a fever of 102.5°F and a severe headache. As you assess him, you note the presence of multiple blisters on his face and chest, which are all identical in shape and size. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST consistent with:
Select one:
A. smallpox.
B. cutaneous anthrax.
C. sarin toxicity.
D. yellow fever virus.

Answer 1

A. smallpox.

Question 2

A disease vector is defined as:
Select one:
A. the ability of a virus or bacterium to be spread.
B. the period of time between exposure and illness.
C. the spectrum of signs that define a disease.
D. any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter.

Answer 2

D. any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter.

Question 3

A persistent or nonvolatile chemical agent can:
Select one:
A. remain in the environment for many weeks.
B. explode without warning and releases gases.
C. evaporate quickly when left on a surface.
D. remain on a surface for more than 24 hours.

Answer 3

D. remain on a surface for more than 24 hours.

Question 4

After eating at a local restaurant, a 20-year-old male complains of blurred vision, difficulty speaking, and difficulty breathing. He is conscious; however, his respirations are profoundly labored and producing minimal tidal volume. You should:
Select one:
A. position him supine and elevate his legs.
B. request a paramedic to administer atropine.
C. apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
D. assist his ventilations with 100% oxygen.

Answer 4

D. assist his ventilations with 100% oxygen.

Question 5

All of the following are vesicant agents, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. sulfur mustard.
B. lewisite.
C. sarin.
D. phosgene oxime.

Answer 5

C. sarin.

Question 6

All of the following biologic agents or diseases can be transmitted from person to person, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. pneumonic plague.
B. inhalation anthrax.
C. ricin.
D. smallpox.

Answer 6

C. ricin.

Question 7

An attack on an abortion clinic would MOST likely be carried out by a(n):
Select one:
A. violent religious group.
B. single-issue group.
C. doomsday cult.
D. extremist political group.

Answer 7

B. single-issue group.

Question 8

As the first arriving emergency responder at the scene of a suspected terrorist or WMD incident, you should request additional resources as needed and then:
Select one:
A. carefully inspect the area for the presence of secondary explosive devices. Incorrect
B. function as the incident commander until additional personnel arrive.
C. direct your partner to begin triaging patients as you call medical control.
D. remain where you are until additional ambulances arrive at the scene.

Answer 8

B. function as the incident commander until additional personnel arrive.

Question 9

At present, the likelihood of a nuclear attack against the United States is very low because:
Select one:
A. the United States has an effective early warning system to detect an incoming nuclear missile.
B. all nuclear devices or weapons that different countries are in possession of are currently accounted for.
C. other than the United States, no other countries are currently in possession of nuclear weapons.
D. terrorist nations do not have the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon via missile or bomb.

Answer 9

D. terrorist nations do not have the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon via missile or bomb.

Question 10

Initial signs and symptoms associated with viral hemorrhagic fevers include:
Select one:
A. severe abdominal muscle spasms.
B. headache and sore throat.
C. acute onset of double vision.
D. joint pain and unequal pupils.

Answer 10

B. headache and sore throat.

Question 11

Most terrorist attacks are:
Select one:
A. covert.
B. nuclear attacks.
C. impulsive.
D. unplanned.

Answer 11

A. covert.

Question 12

Pulmonary hemorrhage and inner ear damage are examples of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ blast injuries.
Select one:
A. miscellaneous
B. tertiary
C. primary
D. secondary

Answer 12

C. primary

Question 13

Signs and symptoms of exposure to a nerve agent include:
Select one:
A. dry mouth, dilated pupils, and headache.
B. salivation, pinpoint pupils, and diarrhea.
C. tachycardia, flushed skin, and unequal pupils.
D. hypertension and severe pulmonary edema.

Answer 13

B. salivation, pinpoint pupils, and diarrhea.

Question 14

The chemical attacks that occurred in Tokyo between 1994 and 1995 were carried out by a(n):
Select one:
A. extremist political group.
B. group of domestic terrorists.
C. single-issue terrorist group.
D. violent religious group.

Answer 14

D. violent religious group.

Question 15

The LEAST harmful form of ionizing radiation is:
Select one:
A. beta.
B. gamma.
C. alpha.
D. neutron.

Answer 15

C. alpha.

Question 16

The means by which a terrorist will spread a particular agent is called:
Select one:
A. dissemination.
B. aerosolization.
C. incubation.
D. weaponization.

Answer 16

A. dissemination.

Question 17

The primary route of exposure of vesicant agents is the:
Select one:
A. respiratory tract.
B. vascular system.
C. nervous system.
D. skin.

Answer 17

D. skin.

Question 18

The process performed to artificially maximize the target population's exposure to a biologic agent, thereby exposing the greatest number of people and achieving the desired effect, is called:
Select one:
A. alkalinization.
B. weaponization.
C. potentiation.
D. dissemination.

Answer 18

B. weaponization.

Question 19

The skin lesions associated with smallpox:
Select one:
A. develop early during the disease.
B. initially form on the lower trunk.
C. are identical in their development.
D. are of different shapes and sizes.

Answer 19

C. are identical in their development.

Question 20

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF), such as Ebola, cause the blood to:
Select one:
A. engorge the brain and cause hemorrhaging.
B. seep out of the blood vessels and tissues.
C. attack the bone marrow and destroy cells.
D. become thick and spontaneously clot.

Answer 20

B. seep out of the blood vessels and tissues.

Question 21

Which of the following agents blocks the body's ability to use oxygen and possesses an odor similar to almonds?
Select one:
A. hydrogen cyanide
B. organophosphates
C. carbon monoxide
D. phosgene oxime

Answer 21

A. hydrogen cyanide

Question 22

Which of the following statements regarding anthrax is correct?
Select one:
A. Anthrax is a deadly virus that replicates.
B. Pulmonary anthrax is the most deadly form.
C. Cutaneous anthrax has a 90% mortality rate.
D. There is presently no vaccine against anthrax.

Answer 22

B. Pulmonary anthrax is the most deadly form.

Question 23

Which of the following statements regarding blast injuries is correct?
Select one:
A. Tertiary blast injuries are penetrating or nonpenetrating injuries that result from flying debris, such as ordnance projectiles.
B. Solid organs are relatively protected from shock wave injury but may be injured during the secondary or tertiary blast phase.
C. Solid organs such as the middle ear, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract are the most susceptible to pressure changes.
D. The gastrointestinal tract is the organ system most sensitive to blast injuries and is the leading cause of death following an explosion.

Answer 23

B. Solid organs are relatively protected from shock wave injury but may be injured during the secondary or tertiary blast phase.

Question 24

Which of the following statements regarding the persistency and volatility of a chemical agent is correct?
Select one:
A. Lewisite, a vesicant agent, is nonvolatile and evaporates quickly in an optimum temperature.
B. VX, a highly persistent nerve agent, can remain in the environment for weeks to months.
C. Sarin, a powerful nerve agent, is nonvolatile and can remain on a surface for long periods.
D. Sulfur mustard, a vesicant agent, is generally considered to have a low level of persistence.

Answer 24

B. VX, a highly persistent nerve agent, can remain in the environment for weeks to months.