Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements regarding the Salmonella bacterium is correct?
The most important consideration in caring for a patient who has been exposed to an organophosphate insecticide or some other cholinergic agent is to:
Heroin is an example of a(n):
Medical problems that may cause the patient to present as intoxicated include all of the following, EXCEPT:
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A 49-year-old male presents with confusion, sweating, and visual hallucinations. The patient's wife tells you that he is a heavy drinker and she thinks he had a seizure shortly before your arrival. The patient is MOST likely experiencing:
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The recommended treatment for absorbed or contact poisons includes ____________.
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"Nerve gases" overstimulate normal body functions that are controlled by parasympathetic nerves, causing:
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Most poisonings occur via the ______________ route.
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A person who routinely misuses a substance and requires increasing amounts to achieve the same effect is experiencing:
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Which of the following questions would be LEAST pertinent during the initial questioning of a patient who ingested a substance?
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Activated charcoal is given to patients who have ingested certain substances because it:
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Which of the following is NOT considered a sign or symptom of alcohol withdrawal?
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In an apparent suicide attempt, a 19-year-old ingested a full bottle of amitriptyline (Elavil). At present, she is conscious and alert and states that she swallowed the pills approximately 30 minutes earlier. Her blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, her pulse is 140 beats/min and irregular, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. When transporting this patient, you should be MOST alert for:
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As you enter the residence of a patient who has possibly overdosed, you should:
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Which of the following statements regarding injected poisons is FALSE?
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How do poisons typically act to harm the body?
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You and your paramedic partner are caring for a patient who ingested codeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and hydrocodone (Vicodin). The patient is unresponsive, his breathing is slow and shallow, and his pulse is slow and weak. Treatment for this patient should include:
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When caring for a known alcoholic patient with severe trauma to the chest and abdomen, you should be concerned that:
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Hypotension, hypoventilation, and pinpoint pupils would be expected following an overdose of:
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Of the four avenues of poisoning, generally _____________ is the most worrisome in terms of treatment to the EMS provider.
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If the victim of a toxicologic emergency vomits, an EMT should ____________.
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You receive a call to a residence where a man found his wife unresponsive on the couch. The patient's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min, her breathing is shallow, her heart rate is 40 beats/min, and her pulse is weak. The husband hands you an empty bottle of hydrocodone (Vicodin), which was refilled the day before. You should:
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Victims of inhaled poisoning will require which of the following?
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An overdose of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, will MOST likely cause:
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You have responded to the home of a 26-year-old woman who has reportedly taken a large number of pills in an attempt to commit suicide. As you enter the living room, you see her sleeping in her chair and several empty alcohol containers are present. She is breathing heavily. You are able to arouse her consciousness for a short period of time. Which courses of action take priority?
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Study Notes
Salmonella and Food Poisoning
- The Salmonella bacterium produces toxins leading to food poisoning.
- Symptoms of salmonellosis typically manifest after ingestion, usually within 12-72 hours.
- Refrigeration does not completely prevent salmonellosis.
Organophosphate Insecticide Exposure
- The primary focus after exposure to a cholinergic agent is to maintain airway integrity and avoid personal exposure.
Substance Classifications
- Heroin is classified as an opioid.
Intoxication Mimics
- Medical conditions such as toxic reactions, head trauma, and uncontrolled diabetes can mimic intoxication, but syncope (fainting) is not typically one.
Alcohol Withdrawal
- A patient exhibiting confusion, sweating, and hallucinations following heavy drinking is likely experiencing delirium tremens.
Poison Treatment
- For contact poisons, safely diluting or removing the substance is the recommended treatment.
Nerve Gases and Symptoms
- Nerve gases overstimulate parasympathetic functions, resulting in increased salivation.
Routes of Poisoning
- The most common route of poisoning is ingestion.
Substance Misuse
- A person misusing substances and needing more for the same effect is developing a tolerance.
Initial Patient Assessment
- The least pertinent question when evaluating a patient who ingested a substance is why the substance was taken.
Activated Charcoal
- Activated charcoal is administered to bind toxins and prevent their absorption in the body.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
- Chest pain is not a typical sign of alcohol withdrawal, whereas seizures, fever, sweating, and agitation are.
Amitriptyline Ingestion
- In cases of amitriptyline overdose, be vigilant for seizures and cardiac arrhythmias during transport.
Scene Safety
- Always assess for personal hazards before approaching a patient in a potential overdose scenario.
Injected Poisons
- Injected poisons are not easily diluted in the bloodstream, which complicates treatment.
Mechanism of Poison Action
- Poisons harm the body by disrupting normal neurologic function and can also alter cellular metabolism.
Opioid Overdose Management
- Patients with opioid overdose require assisted ventilation and administration of naloxone (Narcan).
Trauma Concerns for Alcoholics
- Severe trauma in known alcoholics raises concerns about potential internal bleeding due to impaired clotting.
Overdose Symptoms
- Symptoms like hypotension, hypoventilation, and pinpoint pupils are indicative of oxycodone overdose.
Poisoning Routes of Concern
- Injection is generally the most concerning route for EMS providers due to rapid absorption into the bloodstream.
Handling Vomitus in Toxic Emergencies
- If vomiting occurs, the patient should enclose the vomit for transport to the emergency department for analysis.
Inhaled Poisoning Response
- Patients with inhaled poisoning should be transported to an emergency department for further evaluation.
Acetaminophen Overdose
- Tylenol overdose is highly likely to result in liver failure due to its hepatotoxic effects.
Prioritizing Action in Overdose Cases
- Administering activated charcoal should take priority for a conscious patient who has ingested pills.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Chapter 21 related to emergency medical training, focusing on the Salmonella bacterium and its implications in food poisoning. This quiz will challenge your understanding of important concepts and definitions necessary for EMT certification.
