CH 25: Poisoning and Overdose Emergencies

Question 1

Which of the following is a common sign and symptom in poisonings of all​ types?

Answer 1

Nausea and vomiting

Question 2

Which patient would most likely benefit from the administration of activated​ charcoal?

Answer 2

​14-year-old female who overdoses on her​ grandfather’s cardiac medication

Question 3

You are called to the scene of a​ 21-year-old female patient who is unresponsive. Her boyfriend suspects that she tried to commit suicide by overdosing on her depression medications. The patient is unresponsive to painful​ stimuli, with agonal​ respirations, and has vomited. She has a weak carotid pulse. After securing the airway and providing oxygen by​ bag-valve mask, what is the most important question the EMT can ask regarding the​ medication?

Answer 3

What medication did she​ take?

Question 4

Which of the following is true concerning a​ patient’s reaction to toxic gases from smoke​ inhalation?

Answer 4

Signs and symptoms may be delayed.

Question 5

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs by which of the following​ routes?

Answer 5

inhalation

Question 6

You have just arrived on the scene of an agricultural business and see three men coming out of a​ building, choking and holding their heads. One of the men tells you there are two workers still inside. What should you do​ next?

Answer 6

Call for properly trained assistance and stay a safe distance away from the scene.

Question 7

Which of the following is seen in carbon monoxide​ poisoning?

Answer 7

A.
Headache
B.
Nausea
C.
Altered mental status

Question 8

Which of the following is a sign or symptom of withdrawal from​ alcohol?

Answer 8

Seizures
B.
Hallucinations
C.
Sweating

Question 9

You are called to the residence of a​ 78-year-old widow who lives alone with no children. She was found by neighbors on the floor of the living room. She has fallen and fractured her left humerus. She is disoriented and responds to verbal stimuli only. She has a blood pressure of​ 78/40 and a pulse of 48. She has a history of high blood pressure and takes medication for it. She also takes medication for high cholesterol and a medication to slow down a fast heart rate. Emergency Medical Responders find the medication bottles in the medicine cabinet and they are empty. Your partner suspects that she overdosed on her medications. Do you agree or​ disagree?

Answer 9

Agree. The vital signs agree with this hypothesis.

Question 10

What is the most important treatment for a patient who has inhaled a​ poison?

Answer 10

Administer​ high-concentration oxygen.

Question 11

Smoke inhalation can result in all of the following except​:

Answer 11

lung contusion.

Question 12

Cleaning​ fluid, glue, and model cement are common examples of which of the​ following?

Answer 12

Volatile chemicals

Question 13

Why would an EMT give activated charcoal to a patient who overdosed on a​ medication?

Answer 13

Activated charcoal binds to the​ medication, preventing absorption by the body.

Question 14

Your patient is a​ 50-year-old female with a history of alcoholism. She is found unresponsive in bed by her son. Which of the following possibilities should you keep in mind during your​ assessment?

Answer 14

Head injury
B.
Heart attack
C.
Low blood sugar

Question 15

Your patient is a​ 17-year-old male who is spitting and coughing after swallowing some gasoline while siphoning from a gas tank. Which of the following should you do​ first?

Answer 15

Contact medical control.

Question 16

When a substance enters the body through unbroken​ skin, it has entered the body by which of the following​ routes?

Answer 16

absorption

Question 17

Your patient has come in contact with a strong acid substance. Using an alkaline solution to treat the patient may result in which of the​ following?

Answer 17

A.
Further damage to the​ patient’s tissues
B.
Neutralization of the acid substance
C.
Production of heat when the acid and alkali interact

Question 18

Which of the following is a substance that will neutralize a poison or its​ effects?

Answer 18

antidote

Question 19

A patient has a dry powder poison covering both upper extremities and chest. You​ should:

Answer 19

brush the powder off and irrigate the contaminated area with large amounts of water.

Question 20

Your patient is a conscious​ 16-year-old female who has ingested an unknown number of sleeping pills. Which of the following questions is least pertinent to the care of this​ patient?

Answer 20

Who do these sleeping pills belong​ to?

Question 21

When a poison attaches to the chemical structure of activated​ charcoal, which of the following best describes this mechanism of​ action?

Answer 21

adsorption

Question 22

A patient who has abused​ “uppers” will display which of the following signs and​ symptoms?

Answer 22

Excessive​ talkativeness, dilated​ pupils, and dry mouth

Question 23

You respond to assist law enforcement with a​ 35-year-old male patient​ who, according to​ them, is​ “high as a​ kite.” The patient is​ anxious, tachycardic, and angry. What condition do you​ suspect?

Answer 23

Cocaine overdose

Question 24

The opioid triad includes all of the following:

Answer 24

coma.
C.
pinpoint pupils.
D.
respiratory depression.

Question 25

It is a chilly fall morning and you are called to an RV campground for three patients who are complaining of​ headache, dizziness, and nausea. Your primary assessment reveals that they are cyanotic and have an altered mental status. You​ suspect:

Answer 25

carbon monoxide poisoning.

Question 26

How does carbon monoxide cause toxic​ effects?

Answer 26

Prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen

Question 27

Which of the following is not a way in which poisons can access the​ body?

Answer 27

radiation

Question 28

Which of the following is the cause of the black residue found in a​ patient's mouth and nose following smoke​ inhalation?

Answer 28

carbon

Question 29

Barbiturates may be referred to as which of the​ following?

Answer 29

Downers

Question 30

Which of the following is the most important means of managing a patient who has inhaled a​ poison, after the airway has been​ established?

Answer 30

High concentrations of oxygen

Question 31

Which of the following substances may be ordered by medical control to dilute a​ poison?

Answer 31

Milk or water

Question 32

What clinical finding is most suggestive of an inhaled​ poison?

Answer 32

​Black-colored sputum

Question 33

Your patient is a​ 48-year-old male who has been exposed to a toxic powder that can be absorbed through the skin. Which of the following measures should be taken by the​ EMT?

Answer 33

Brush off the powder and flush the​ patient's skin with copious amounts of water.

Question 34

Immediate effects of alcohol are due to effects on which body​ system?

Answer 34

Central nervous system

Question 35

When a chemical substance is taken for reasons other than therapeutic​ use, this action is​ called:

Answer 35

substance abuse.

Question 36

Your patient is a conscious​ 4-year-old female who has ingested a medication prescribed for her grandfather. To determine appropriate​ treatment, which of the following information is not necessary to provide to medical​ control?

Answer 36

​Grandfather's name and the name of the physician who prescribed the medication

Question 37

Which of the following is not part of the treatment for a​ 15-year-old female who has swallowed drain​ cleaner?

Answer 37

Administer activated charcoal.

Question 38

Which of the following is an injury that commonly occurs in alcoholic patients with even minor head​ injuries?

Answer 38

Subdural hematoma

Question 39

You are treating a​ 61-year-old who is a chronic alcohol abuser. He is complaining of​ "snakes slithering around his​ ankles," and he tells you that he had only two drinks tonight. You notice that he is​ sweating, trembling, and anxious. Before you can complete your​ assessment, he begins to have a seizure. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this​ situation?

Answer 39

The patient is suffering from alcohol withdrawal.

Question 40

You are called to the scene of a​ 14-year-old female patient who is unresponsive. Her mother states she has been teased and bullied at school and she suspects that she tried to commit suicide by taking her pain pills. The patient is unresponsive to painful​ stimuli, with agonal​ respirations, and has vomited. She has a weak carotid pulse. Your first action is​ to:

Answer 40

suction the​ patient's airway.

Question 41

By​ definition, a systemic poison causes harm to which of the​ following?

Answer 41

entire body

Question 42

Which of the following effects may occur due to chronic abuse of​ alcohol?

Answer 42

A. Poor nutrition B. Abnormal blood sugar levels C. Potential for gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 43

Which of the following statements regarding syrup of ipecac is not​ true?

Answer 43

it has immediate action

Question 44

Volatile chemicals are agents that are able to change easily from a​ ________ into a​ ________.

Answer 44

​liquid; gas

Question 45

The drug ecstasy is classified as what type of​ drug?

Answer 45

Hallucinogen

Question 46

Why should an EMT utilize a local poison control center in managing a poisoning​ patient?

Answer 46

They can assist in finding out important information about the poison.

Question 47

Which of the following is one of the most common inhaled poisons associated with fire​ suppression?

Answer 47

carbon monoxide

Question 48

Gamma hydroxybutyrate​ (GHB) is an example of which of the following types of​ drugs?

Answer 48

depressant

Question 49

You respond to the county jail for a​ 48-year-old inmate arrested two days ago for public intoxication. Guards state the patient is a known alcoholic and​ "frequent flier." The guards state that for several hours the patient was​ "acting crazy" and seeing​ "bugs on the​ walls." The patient then began seizing and they called for an ambulance. You notice the patient is no longer​ seizing, diaphoretic, or confused. What condition do you​ suspect?

Answer 49

Delirium tremens

Question 50

Which of the following describes any substance produced by a living organism that is poisonous to human​ beings?

Answer 50

toxin

Question 51

Which of the following is a trade name for activated​ charcoal?

Answer 51

actidose

Question 52

The term poison is best described as any substance that can do which of the​ following?

Answer 52

harm the body

Question 53

Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include all of the following:

Answer 53

A. nausea and vomiting. C. swaying and unsteadiness of movement. D. confusion.

Question 54

Your patient is a​ 23-year-old male who is unresponsive in the restroom of a bar. His respirations are slow and​ shallow, he has a heart rate of 50 beats per​ minute, he is sweating​ profusely, and he has constricted pupils. Which of the following substances is most likely responsible for the​ patient's condition?

Answer 54

heroin

Question 55

Your patient is a​ 38-year-old male who has taken an overdose of several different medications and has consumed some household cleaning agents as well. On your​ arrival, the patient only responds to painful stimuli and has a heart rate of 90 beats per minute with a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Medical control orders you to give the patient two to three glasses of milk to drink to dilute the contents of the stomach. Which of the following actions should you​ do?

Answer 55

Refuse the order and explain why.

Question 56

Your patient is a​ 3-year-old male with a stoma in his neck to assist his breathing. The patient has swallowed a household cleaner. Medical direction gives you an order for milk to dilute the stomach contents. Which of the following is the correct way of carrying out this​ order?

Answer 56

Have the patient drink one glass of milk.

Question 57

Your patient is a​ 7-year-old male who ate an unknown type of mushroom on a dare by his friends. You should ask all of the following questions except​:

Answer 57

Why did you eat the​ mushroom?

Question 58

Which of the following types of drugs may induce sleep or​ stupor?

Answer 58

Both Narcotics and Tranquilizers

Question 59

You are called to the scene of a​ 17-year-old female patient who is unresponsive. Her mother suspects that she tried to commit suicide by taking her pain pills. The patient is unresponsive to painful​ stimuli, has agonal​ respirations, and has vomited. She has a weak carotid pulse. After securing the airway and providing oxygen by​ bag-valve mask, what is your next​ action?

Answer 59

Perform a secondary assessment of the patient.

Question 60

Which of the following groups is the most susceptible to the effects of a​ poison?

Answer 60

elderly

Question 61

Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected when a patient has been in an enclosed area and has which of the following signs​ and/or symptoms?

Answer 61

A. ​Headache, dizziness, and nausea B. Breathing difficulty and altered mental status C. ​Flu-like symptoms

Question 62

Which of the following conditions can mimic the signs of alcohol​ intoxication?

Answer 62

A. Epilepsy B. Diabetes C. Head injuries

Question 63

You are called to the scene of a local night club for a​ 21-year-old female patient who is bradycardic and in respiratory arrest. The​ patient's airway is patent and the chest easily rises with​ bag-valve-mask ventilation. The​ patient's friends state the patient had only one or two drinks when she suddenly complained of dizziness and​ "seeing things." Her friends state that she then passed​ out, started twitching like she was​ seizing, and then stopped. Her friends adamantly state that she does not do drugs. What situation do you​ suspect?

Answer 63

GHB overdose

Question 64

Your patient is a​ 3-year-old female who has taken an unknown quantity of aspirin. She is conscious and alert. Which of the following orders is likely to be given by medical​ control?

Answer 64

Administer activated charcoal.

Question 65

Your patient is an​ 18-year-old male who fell into a​ neighbor's swimming pool but was pulled out by bystanders. The neighbors report that the patient wandered into their yard and that he said he had a​ "funny numb​ feeling" in his head and his chest hurt before stumbling into the pool. As you are performing​ CPR, you notice that the mucous membranes in his mouth and nose are swollen. Which of the following would account for the​ patient's behavior and current​ condition?

Answer 65

Volatile chemicals

Question 66

Which of the following is the best initial intervention for a patient who has inhaled a​ poison?

Answer 66

Provide a patent​ airway, ventilation, and​ high-concentration oxygen.

Question 67

You are called to a farm for a possible insecticide poisoning of one of the workers. Your first action is​ to:

Answer 67

call for specialized hazardous materials units.

Question 68

OxyContin is an example of which of the following types of​ drugs?

Answer 68

narcotic

Question 69

Which of the following most affects the extent of damage a poison does to the​ body?

Answer 69

​Patient's age,​ weight, and general health

Question 70

Most cases of accidental poisoning involve which of the​ following?

Answer 70

Young children

Question 71

Regarding activated​ charcoal, which of the following is not​ true?

Answer 71

It is an antidote to many poisons.

Question 72

Which patient would most likely benefit from the administration of activated​ charcoal?

Answer 72

Alert​ 16-year-old female who overdosed on Tylenol