DB 18-14 Fentanyl Exposure

Question 1

Exposure to even minute amounts of fentanyl can prove fatal through what ingestion methods?

Answer 1

• ingestion
• inhalation
• skin absorption

Question 2

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has estimated that as little as ____ milligrams of illicit fentanyl may be enough to cause respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and/or possible death.

Answer 2

2-3 milligrams

- respiratory depression, arrest, and/or possible death

Question 3

2-3 milligrams is the equivalent to how many grains of salt?

Answer 3

5-7 individual grains of salt

Question 4

Fentanyl absorption into the body can occur in what 4 ways?

Answer 4

• injection
• oral ingestion
• inhalation (airborne powder)
• contact with skin and/or mucous membranes

Question 5

How many times more potent is Fentanyl than morphine?

Answer 5

100 times more potent than morphine

Question 6

How many times more potent is Fentanyl than Heroine?

Answer 6

50 times more potent

Question 7

When was Fentanyl Introduced and what level of narcotic is it?

Answer 7

Introduced in 1960s as a Schedule II narcotic

Question 8

Schedule II narcotic means it has what approved use, along with what side effect?

Answer 8

• approved medical use

- severe psychological and/or physical dependence

Question 9

fentanyl-related substances have been distributed in what 6 various forms?

Answer 9

• powder
• pill
• liquid
• capsule
• aerosol
• adhered to blotter paper

Question 10

What drugs has fentanyl been laced into?

Answer 10

• Cocaine
• methamphetamine
• heroine

Question 11

Situational awareness:

Any indications that a ____ operation may be present should prompt members to request law enforcement.

Answer 11

clandestine operation = request law enforcement

Question 12

Situational awareness:
Avoid any unnecessary contact with items that could be contaminated and never reach into a patient’s ___ for identification or paraphernalia.

Answer 12

pockets

Question 13

Situational awareness:
Be cognizant of a possible “____” marked by clusters of recent opioid overdoses occurring within a small geographic area.

Answer 13

Fentanyl Footprint

Question 14

Symptom Recognition:

What are signature opioid symptoms (3)?

Answer 14

• altered level of consciousness
• decreased respirations
• pinpoint pupils

Question 15

Symptom Recognition:
Two New Jersey Police Officers who accidently inhaled a minuscule amount of a fine fentanyl powder while bagging evidence descried what 4 feelings?

Answer 15

• sensation of bodies “completely shutting down”
• impending doom
• disorientation
• dyspnea

Question 16

Symptom Recognition:
Due to the extreme potency of illicit fentanyl, repeated dosages of ____ may be required to restore normal body function.

Answer 16

Naloxone (Narcan)

Question 17

What PPE must be worn at a minimum when attending to a patient with signs or symptoms of an opioid overdose?

Answer 17

• nitrile gloves
• eye protection
• P-100 mask

Question 18

What does the DEA recommend donning when encountering unknown powders?

Answer 18

disposal paper coveralls and shoe covers

Question 19

What amount of contamination should prompt a hazmat response?

Answer 19

any situation involving gross contamination of suspected fentanyl
- includes law enforcement hazmat assignment

Question 20

Consider a ____ to a clean area prior to initiating resuscitative measures.

Answer 20

rapid extraction

Question 21

_____ for deconning equipment, apparatus, exposed skin, and clothing is required to ensure the removal of any potential fentanyl residue.

Answer 21

Extra dilligence

Question 22

What chemical for deconstructions should not be used as they may contain alcohol which can increase skin absorption fentanyl through the skin?

Answer 22

Hand Sanitizers

Question 23

What is recommended for deconstructions in lieu of hand sanitizers?

Answer 23

Copious amounts of soap and water

Question 24

The DEA also recommends that anyone who has entered a grossly contaminated environment or otherwise exposed to a suspected fentanyl-related laboratory or milling operation without proper HazMat level Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) should ___ and undergo proper HazMat decontamination.

Answer 24

undress and undergo proper hazmat decontamination

Question 25

It is also recommended that grossly contaminated clothing be ___ and ____

Answer 25

bagged and destroyed