Emergency Care, 13e (Limmer et al.)
Chapter 21 Poisoning and Overdose Emergencies
1) 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
Objective: 21.1
2) 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
Objective: 21.1
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3) 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
Objective: 21.1
4) 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
Objective: 21.1
5) Which of the following is a substance that will neutralize a poison or its effects?
A) Deactivator
B) Antidote
C) Antevert
D) Curative
Objective: 21.1
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6) Most cases of accidental poisoning involve which of the following?
A) Infants
B) Adults
C) Adolescents
D) Young children
Objective: 21.2
7) Which of the following groups is the most susceptible to the effects of a poison?
A) Pre-teens
B) Adults
C) Elderly
D) Teenager
Objective: 21.2
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8) 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
Objective: 21.2
9) Which of the following is NOT a way in which poisons can access the body?
A) Injection
B) Inhalation
C) Radiation
D) Absorption
Objective: 21.2
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10) Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs by which of the following routes?
A) Absorption
B) Inhalation
C) Radiation
D) Aspiration
Objective: 21.2
11) 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
Objective: 21.3
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12) 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.
Objective: 21.3
13) 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
Objective: 21.3
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14) 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.
Objective: 21.3
15) 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
Objective: 21.4
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16) Which of the following is LEAST often seen in carbon monoxide poisoning?
A) Nausea
B) Cherry red lips
C) Confusion
D) Headache
Objective: 21.4
17) 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
Objective: 21.4
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18) 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
Objective: 21.4
19) 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.
Objective: 21.4
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20) 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.
Objective: 21.4
21) 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?
Objective: 21.4
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