4-1: Chemical Warfare Flashcards

1
Q

Identify four types of casualty-causing agents.

A

Nerve, Blister, Blood, Choking

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2
Q

Chemical compounds are more toxic OR less toxic than chemical agents.

A

Less toxic

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3
Q

Which agent is described as follows? Odorless, amber-colored liquid similar to motor oil; Low evaporation rate; Likely to be absorbed as aerosol or liquid; Causes death within 15 minutes of fatal dose absorbed; Body detoxification rate is very low.

A

VX

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4
Q

What are the three nerve agent antidotes?

A

Atropine sulfate, Pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM-Cl), Diazepam (CANA)

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5
Q

6 categories to classify chemical agents

A

physiological effects, military use, physical state, persistence, route of entry, onset of effects

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6
Q

How are chemical agents categorized based on military use?

A

casualty causing, incapacitating, chemical compounds

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7
Q

How does the physical state of a chemical agent correlate to its persistency?

A

aerosols persist as long as the environment allows (low temp, low wind)

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8
Q

Symptoms of MILD nerve agent exposure

A

pupils contract to pinpoints (myosis), headache, involuntary muscle twitching, chest tightness, mucus secretion from nose/mouth

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9
Q

Symptoms of MODERATE nerve agent exposure

A

difficulty breathing, nausea

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10
Q

Symptoms of SEVERE nerve agent exposure

A

involuntary defecation, urination, convulsions, paralysis of respiratory muscles, mental impairment, death

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11
Q

Nerve agents are divided into two categories

A

G-series & V-series

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12
Q

VX series nerve agents is..

A

most persistent of ALL chemical agents, death usually occurs within 15 mins

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13
Q

Symptoms of blister agent

A

severe inflammation, blistering, destruction of skin tissues, can act on the eyes/mucus membranes/lungs/skin

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14
Q

3 categories of blister agents

A

mustards, arsenicals, urticants

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15
Q

How do blood agents act?

A

enter the body through inhalation, interfering with the normal transfer of O2 from red blood cells to body cells

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16
Q

Symptoms of blood agent

A

convulsions and low pulse rate appear first, breathing may become rapid or labored (active phase), lack of energy, falling BP, difficulty breathing (passive phase)

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17
Q

What is the ACTIVE phase of blood agent poisoning?

A

breathing rapid or choking may cause breathing to become labored

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18
Q

What is the PASSIVE phase of blood agent poisoning?

A

lack of energy, falling blood pressure, difficultly breathing

19
Q

How do choking agents affect the body?

A

irritate and burn the entire respiratory tract when inhaled; gases damage tissue from the inside of the nose and throat, down to the smallest recesses in the lungs

20
Q

how long it will remain in one place

A

persistency

21
Q

> 24 hours

A

persistent

22
Q

< 24 hours

A

non-persistent

23
Q

high volatility means…

A

non-persistent

24
Q

low volatility means…

A

persistent

25
Q

percutaneous or non-percutaneous

A

route of entry

26
Q

enters thru respiratory trace, open wounds, eyes, ingestion

A

non-percutaneous (all agents that are vapors are this)

27
Q

enters thru unbroken skin or can damage skin directly

A

percutaneous

28
Q

quick-acting

A

onset of effects

29
Q

How do nerve agents work?

A

disrupt electrical impulse transmission in nervous system

30
Q

Delayed effect of choking agent

A

pulmonary edema (fluid filling the lungs)

31
Q

temporarily interfere with normal mental process resulting in an inability to think/act rationally

A

Incapacitating agents

32
Q

2 types of Incapacitating Agents

A

Psychochemical & Physiochemical

33
Q

How do psychochemical Incapacitating Agents work?

A

suppressing or overstimulating the nervous system

34
Q

How do physiochemical incapacitating agents work?

A

give a false alarm signal to the body which causes it to respond with a strong emotional stimulus

35
Q

What is the the pre-treatment for nerve agent exposure?

A

Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB) pills

36
Q

CO can start PB pill treatment for crew up to ___ week prior to entry into a high risk area

A

one

37
Q

What are the three nerve agent antidotes?

A

Atropine sulfate, Pralidoxime Chloride (2-PAM-Cl), Diazepam (CANA)

38
Q

What is Atropine sulfate?

A

first drug used in treatment for nerve agent poisoning, 16mg limit in the form of three 2 mg auto-injectors (the remaining 10 mg is for intravenous use if applicable)

39
Q

What is Pralidoxime Chloride (2-PAM-Cl)?

A

breaks initial bond between the nerve agent and cholinesterase, 900 mg limit in the form of three 300mg auto-injectors

40
Q

What is Diazepam (CANA)?

A

anticonvulsant drug, can only be administered by a corpsman, not used as self-aid bc it is used for an incapacitated person convulsing

41
Q

How to self-aid when exposed to a nerve agent?

A

1) ID mild symptoms of nerve agent exposure (myosis, headache, muscle twitching, chest tightness, mucus secretion)
2) Stop breathing and don mask
3) Self-administer one atropine injection in meaty thigh or glute and hold in place for 5-10s
4) Remove injector and bend needle back 180 degrees and hook into shirt pocket flap or wherever can be visible so that people know you have self-aided
5) Self-administer one 2-PAM Cl injection the same way
6) Wait 10-15 mins, if nerve agent symptoms subside of atropine symptoms become present (rapid pulse, dry mouth and skin), you should be good to go

42
Q

What are the steps of nerve agent buddy-aid?

A

1) ID SEVERE symptoms of nerve agent exposure in another individual and determine they are unable to self-aid
2) If vapor hazard still exists, don mask and don mask on casualty
3) Locate and account for casualty’s atropine and 2-PAM Cl auto-injectors
4) Inject casualty with what is remaining of the 6 auto-injectors (3 atropine and 3 2-PAM Cl); hook all to the front of casualty’s person
5) If required, locate corpsman to administer CANA
6) Notify medical and move casualty to CAA

43
Q

What to do in the event of BLOOD agent exposure?

A

Stop breathing, don mask

44
Q

What to do in the event of INCAPACITATING agent exposure?

A

Don mask and decontaminate the skin