Q&A Hero

Q: Which of the following is the immediate toxic effect of alcohol? A) Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation B) Damage to the liver C) Central nervous system depression D) Irreversible damage to the kidneys

Q: A patient has a dry powder poison covering both upper extremities and chest. You should: A) cover the patient's arms with a burn sheet to preserve the powder for the emergency room. B) immediately wash the powder off to prevent further exposure. C) brush the powder off and irrigate the contaminated area with large amounts of water. D) flush the area with large amounts of water and then brush the remaining poison off.

Q: By what route does nitroglycerin spray enter the body? A) Inhalation B) Ingestion C) Absorption D) Injection

Q: 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? A) Production of heat when the acid and alkali interact B) Further damage to the patient's tissues C) Neutralization of the acid substance D) All of the above

Q: Your patient is a 48-year-old male who has n exposed to a toxic powder that can be absorbed through the skin. Which of the following measures should be taken by the EMT? A) Wipe the powder away with a damp cloth. B) Brush off the powder and flush the patient's skin with a solution of baking soda and water. C) Flush the patient's skin with copious amounts of water. D) Brush off the powder and flush the patient's skin with copious amounts of water.

Q: When a substance enters the body through unbroken skin, it has entered the body by which of the following routes? A) Absorption B) Ingestion C) Injection D) Consumption

Q: What clinical finding is MOST suggestive of an inhaled poison? A) Altered mental status B) Tachypnea C) Black-colored sputum D) Swollen tongue

Q: 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? A) Volatile chemicals B) GHB C) Methamphetamine D) Carbon monoxide poisoning

Q: Smoke inhalation can result in all of the following except: A) airway swelling and obstruction. B) cardiac arrest. C) lung contusion. D) respiratory arrest.

Q: Which of the following is the MOST important means of managing a patient who has inhaled a poison, after the airway has been established? A) Hyperventilation B) High concentrations of oxygen C) Monitoring pulse oximetry D) Administering a specific antidote

Q: Which of the following is the BEST initial intervention for a patient who has inhaled a poison? A) Provide plenty of fresh air and monitor pulse oximetry readings. B) Perform abdominal thrusts to clear the airway, followed by high-concentration oxygen. C) Transport in a position of comfort and provide oxygen for patients with a decreased level of consciousness. D) Provide a patent airway, ventilation, and high-concentration oxygen.

Q: 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? A) Patient's weight and the amount of medication taken B) Patient's vital signs and the time the medication was taken C) Any home remedies attempted by the patient's family D) Grandfather's name and the name of the physician who prescribed the medication

Q: Why should an EMT utilize a local poison control center in managing a poisoning patient? A) It places any legal liability on the poison control center. B) They can activate a specialty team to come and treat the patient. C) It prevents the EMT from having to do training on poisons. D) They can assist in finding out important information about the poison.

Q: 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 accidentally overdosed on her medications. Do you agree or disagree? A) Agree. The vital signs agree with this hypothesis. B) Disagree. The patient's vital signs are related to her broken arm. C) Agree. It is obvious that the broken arm is causing the decreased heart rate. D) Disagree. The vital signs indicate that she has not taken her medication in several days.

Q: 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? A) How much do you weigh? B) Who do these sleeping pills belong to? C) Over what period of time did you take the pills? D) Has anyone tried to treat you with anything?

Q: Your patient is a 2-year-old conscious male who has swallowed a small quantity of bleach. Which of the following findings should you evaluate the patient for? A) Dilated pupils B) Irregular pulse C) Irritation in and around the mouth D) Respiratory depression

Q: Which of the following substances may be ordered by medical control to dilute a poison? A) Milk of magnesia or magnesium citrate B) Milk or water C) Milk or milk of magnesia D) Water with syrup of ipecac

Q: Regarding activated charcoal, which of the following is NOTtrue? A) Ingestion of strong acids or alkalis is a contraindication to its use. B) It is an antidote to many poisons. C) It can reduce the amount of poison absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. D) It does not work on all poisons.

Q: When a poison attaches to the chemical structure of activated charcoal, which of the following BEST describes this mechanism of action? A) Absorption B) Inactivation C) Incorporation D) Adsorption

Q: Which of the following statements regarding syrup of ipecac is NOT true? A) It has an immediate action. B) It can cause a patient to aspirate stomach contents into the lungs. C) It removes only about one-third of stomach contents. D) It causes emesis in all patients with a single dose.

Q: Your patient is a 3-year-old male with a stoma who 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? A) Administer one glass of milk through the stoma. B) Have the patient drink one glass of milk. C) Have the patient drink a glass of milk while you plug the stoma to prevent leakage. D) Refuse the order and explain why.

Q: 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? A) Assist the patient in drinking only one glass of milk to reduce the risk of aspiration. B) Ask medical control if you can substitute water for the milk since water will not damage the lungs if aspirated. C) Refuse the order and explain why. D) Assist the patient in drinking as much of the two to three glasses of milk as he can.

Q: 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: A) When did you eat the mushroom? B) Are there any more of the mushrooms? C) Why did you eat the mushroom? D) How much did you eat?

Q: 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? A) Administer one to two glasses of milk. B) Administer activated charcoal. C) Induce vomiting by placing your finger in the child's throat. D) Administer syrup of ipecac.

Q: 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? A) Administer syrup of ipecac. B) Insert a Combitube or another blind insertion device, if you are trained to do so. C) Have the patient drink a glass of milk. D) Contact medical control.

Q: Why would an EMT give activated charcoal to a patient who overdosed on the medication Soma? A) Activated charcoal is the antidote to Soma poisoning. B) Activated charcoal prevents the patient from vomiting. C) Activated charcoal coats the intestinal tract, preventing absorption by the body. D) Activated charcoal binds to the Soma, preventing absorption by the body.

Q: Which patient would most likely benefit from the administration of activated charcoal? A) 18-year-old patient who is passed out from drinking too much beer B) 45-year-old patient suffering from organophosphate poisoning C) 14-year-old female who overdoses on her grandfather's cardiac medication D) 8-year-boy who has a headache from carbon monoxide poisoning

Q: Which patient would MOST likely benefit from the administration of activated charcoal? A) Alert 16-year-old female who overdosed on Tylenol B) 48-year-old man who attempted suicide by drinking Drano C) Unresponsive 28-year-old female who overdosed on sleeping pills D) 28-year-old male who is suffering from food poisoning after eating eggs contaminated with salmonella

Q: Which of the following is a trade name for activated charcoal? A) Actifed B) Charcoal C) Actidose D) Mesquite

Q: Which of the following is NOT part of the treatment for a 15-year-old female who has swallowed drain cleaner? A) Call medical control. B) Administer milk or water. C) Maintain the airway. D) Administer activated charcoal.

Q: 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? A) How many pills did she take? B) Were the medications new? C) What medication did she take? D) Why is she on that particular depression medication?

Q: 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: A) snake bite. B) bee sting. C) food poisoning. D) carbon monoxide poisoning.

Q: Which of the following is NOT true concerning a patient's reaction to toxic gas exposure? A) If the patient is treated immediately, there will be no long-term effects. B) Signs and symptoms may be delayed. C) The patient may present without respiratory difficulty. D) Signs and symptoms may be immediate and severe.

Q: Which of the following is the cause of the black residue found in a patient's mouth and nose following smoke inhalation? A) Tar B) Carbon monoxide C) Cyanide D) Carbon

Q: Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected when a patient has n in an enclosed area and has which of the following signs and/or symptoms? A) Headache, dizziness, and nausea B) Flu-like symptoms C) Vomiting and altered mental status D) All of the above

Q: Which of the following is LEAST often seen in carbon monoxide poisoning? A) Nausea B) Cherry red lips C) Confusion D) Headache

Q: Which of the following is a common sign and symptom in poisonings of all types? A) Nausea and vomiting B) Dizziness and palpitations C) Headache and diaphoresis D) Pain and diaphoresis

Q: You are called to a farm for a possible organophosphate poisoning of one of the workers. Your first action is to: A) decontaminate the patient. B) bag the patient before he dies. C) call for specialized hazardous materials units. D) call for an ALS unit.

Q: How does carbon monoxide cause toxic effects? A) Causes red blood cells to clump together B) Prevents the blood from clotting C) Prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen D) Prevents red blood cells from releasing carbon dioxide

Q: 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? A) Call for properly trained assistance and stay a safe distance away from the scene. B) Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel and check on the status of the two workers inside the building. C) Get the assistance of the men who made it out of the building to prevent delay in finding the workers inside. D) Evaluate the three men and administer high-concentration oxygen, then help them get a safe distance away from the scene.

Q: Which of the following is one of the MOST common inhaled poisons associated with fire suppression? A) Carbon dioxide B) Methane gas C) Polyvinyl chloride D) Carbon monoxide

Q: Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs by which of the following routes? A) Absorption B) Inhalation C) Radiation D) Aspiration

Q: Which of the following is NOT a way in which poisons can access the body? A) Injection B) Inhalation C) Radiation D) Absorption

Q: Which of the following MOST affects the extent of damage a poison does to the body? A) Patient's race, age, and medications taken B) Patient's genetics, height, and medications taken C) Patient's nutritional status, genetics, and strength of the immune system D) Patient's age, weight, and general health

Q: Which of the following groups is the most susceptible to the effects of a poison? A) Pre-teens B) Adults C) Elderly D) Teenager

Q: Most cases of accidental poisoning involve which of the following? A) Infants B) Adults C) Adolescents D) Young children

Q: Which of the following is a substance that will neutralize a poison or its effects? A) Deactivator B) Antidote C) Antevert D) Curative

Q: Volatile chemicals are agents that are able to change easily from a ________ form to a ________ form. A) solid; vapor B) solid; liquid C) gas; liquid D) liquid; gas

Q: By definition, a systemic poison causes harm to which of the following? A) Stomach and intestines B) Localized areas of tissue C) Specific organ system D) Entire body

Q: Which of the following describes any substance produced by a living organism that is poisonous to human beings? A) Antibody B) Acid C) Toxin D) Antigen

Q: The term poison is BEST described as any substance that can do which of the following? A) Increase cellular activity B) Deactivate nerve transmission C) Depress the body's respirations D) Harm the body

Q: 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? A) Alcohol overdose B) GHB overdose C) Anaphylactic reaction to the alcoholic drink D) Cocaine overdose

Q: What is the most important treatment for a patient who has inhaled a poison? A) Administer the correct antidote. B) Administer high-concentration oxygen. C) Administer activated charcoal. D) Administer epinephrine via auto-injector.

Q: 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? A) Perform a rapid physical examination of the patient. B) Ask the mother the name of her pain medication. C) Question the mother about the patient's suicidal tendencies. D) Perform a focused assessment.

Q: You are called to the scene of a 14-year-old female patient who is unresponsive. Her mother states she has n 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: A) administer oxygen by bag-valve mask (BVM). B) administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask (NRB). C) administer an oropharyngeal airway (OPA). D) suction the patient's airway.

Q: A patient who has abused "uppers" will display which of the following signs and symptoms? A) Dilated pupils, excessive salivation, and food cravings B) Excessive talkativeness, dilated pupils, and dry mouth C) Constricted pupils, hypotension, and blurred vision D) Slurred speech, constricted pupils, and frequent urination

Q: 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? A) Heroin B) Ecstasy C) LSD D) PCP

Q: 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? A) GHB overdose B) Marijuana overdose C) Alcohol overdose D) Cocaine overdose

Q: The drug ecstasy is classified as what type of drug? A) Depressant B) Hallucinogen C) Barbiturate D) Tranquilizer

Q: Cleaning fluid, glue, and model cement are common examples of which of the following? A) Hallucinogens B) Narcotics C) Volatile chemicals D) Aromatic spirits

Q: The opiate triad includes all of the following except: A) hypertension. B) pinpoint pupils. C) coma. D) respiratory depression.

Q: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an example of which of the following types of drugs? A) Cannabis B) Stimulant C) Volatile spirit D) Depressant

Q: OxyContin is an example of which of the following types of drugs? A) Narcotic B) Antidepressant C) Appetite suppressant D) Barbiturate

Q: You are on the scene of a 40-year-old male patient who is anaphylactic and still unresponsive following a single epinephrine injection. You had inserted an oral airway and administered oxygen at 15 liters per minute by bag-valve mask and your partner found diminished lung sounds. After the epinephrine administration your partner reassesses lung sounds and tells you that the patient is now wheezing loudly in all fields. What is the next action you should perform? A) Discontinue bagging the patient. B) Place the patient on a nonrebreather mask. C) Hyperventilate the patient. D) Contact medical control and request to administer another dose of epinephrine.

Q: After administering epinephrine per medical control via an auto-injector to an unresponsive anaphylactic adult patient, your partner reassesses the lung sounds. He tells you that the patient is now wheezing loudly in all fields whereas before the injection they were diminished in the upper fields and absent in the lower. What is your suspicion regarding the patient's condition? A) The patient's condition is worsening. B) The patient's condition is improving. C) There is no change in the patient's condition. D) The patient is about to go into cardiac arrest.

Q: Your patient has a history of severe anaphylaxis and carries several auto-injectors. You have administered one of the auto-injectors, but the patient's condition continues to worsen. Which of the following is the next best course of action? A) Divert transport to a hospital with critical care capabilities. B) Continue supportive care en route to the hospital. C) Contact medical control. D) Immediately administer a second auto-injector.

Q: When documenting the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector, which of the following should be included? A) Patient's response to the medication B) Site of medication administration C) Time the medication was administered D) All of the above

Q: After activating the auto-injector, how long should it be held in place before removing it from the patient's thigh? A) 30 seconds B) 10 seconds C) 1 minute D) It should be removed from the injection site immediately.

Q: Which of the following is the proper method of disposing of a used epinephrine auto-injector? A) Bend the needle at an angle to prevent accidental punctures and place it in the trash. B) Place the device in a rigid biohazardous sharps disposal container. C) Leave it at the scene for the patient or his family to dispose of. D) Take it to the hospital for disposal in the emergency department.

Q: At which of the following sites should the EMT administer an epinephrine auto-injector? A) Abdomen B) Upper arm C) Thigh D) Buttocks

Q: Most epinephrine auto-injectors, except the Twinject, contain how many doses of epinephrine? A) Two B) Three C) One D) None of the above

Q: Which of the following is a trade name for an epinephrine auto-injector? A) Autodrenalin B) AllerPen C) Anajector D) Epi-Pen

Q: Which of the following is an action caused by epinephrine in anaphylaxis? A) Decreased heart rate B) Vasoconstriction C) Bronchoconstriction D) All of the above

Q: You respond to a local swim park for a 29-year-old male who was stung by a bee and "passed out." Upon arrival, you find the patient unresponsive to all stimuli with agonal respirations at 6 per minute. You insert an oral airway and administer oxygen at 15 liters per minute by bag-valve mask. You notice that it is difficult to bag the patient. Your partner listens to lung sounds and states they are very diminished in the upper fields and absent in the lower fields. What is the best action? A) Request an ALS unit. B) Hyperventilate the patient. C) Request orders from medical control for an emergency cricothyroidotomy. D) Request orders from medical control to administer epinephrine.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a side effect of epinephrine? A) Pallor B) Vomiting C) Bradycardia D) Chest pain

Q: Which of the following is NOT an indication that epinephrine is helping the anaphylaxis patient's condition? A) Increased blood pressure B) Increased heart rate C) Increased dyspnea D) Both B and C

Q: Your patient is a 45-year-old female who is allergic to sesame seeds, which she accidentally ingested when she ate a deli sandwich. She is having difficulty breathing, and she has hives, watery eyes, a weak pulse of 120 per minute, and swelling of the face and tongue. Which of the following is the BEST course of immediate action? A) Transport immediately. B) Contact medical control for orders to administer the patient's epinephrine auto-injector. C) Contact dispatch to see where the closest ALS unit is. D) Insert an oropharyngeal airway (OPA).

Q: Which of the following does a physician NOT take into consideration when writing a prescription for a patient to obtain an epinephrine auto-injector? A) Patient's medical history B) Severity of previous allergic reactions C) How far the patient lives from medical attention D) Patient's known allergies

Q: If a patient was having a myocardial infarction, not an allergic reaction, and received an epinephrine auto-injection, which of the following would most likely occur? A) Bradycardia B) Stronger and faster heartbeat C) No reaction if administered inadvertently D) Relief of shortness of breath

Q: You are called to a residence for a 50-year-old male complaining of difficulty breathing. He is alert and oriented to time, place, and person. The patient presents with hives over the chest, stridor, a swollen tongue, and wheezing in the upper fields. He is breathing 32 times per minute. He is speaking in two- to three-word sentences. What is the best treatment for the patient? A) Administering epinephrine with consent from medical control B) Oxygen at 15 liters per minute by nonrebreather mask C) Oxygen at 15 liters per minute by bag-valve mask D) Rapid transport to the nearest facility