Deck 52: Biologic, Chemical, and Radiologic Agents of Disease

Question 1

The nurse is caring for several clients who sustained chemical injuries. Which statement related to chemical injuries does the nurse understand to be true? Select all that apply.

A) The potential for unintentional exposure should be assumed, even if not apparent.
B) A priority intervention is the removal of clothing.
C) Protection of caregivers from exposure is important while caring for clients with these injuries.
D) The injury-inducing agent may be difficult to identify without specialized equipment.
E) Decontamination should occur with copious of amounts of soap-free water.

Answer 1

A priority intervention is the removal of clothing.
Protection of caregivers from exposure is important while caring for clients with these injuries.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a client with known exposure to a biologic agent. The nurse understands that which bacterial agents are most commonly weaponized? Select all that apply.

A) Anthrax
B) Smallpox
C) Plague
D) Q fever
E) Venezuelan equine encephalitis

Answer 2

Anthrax
Plague
Q fever

Question 3

An occupational health nurse is teaching employees about chemical agents. Which statement does the nurse include in the material?

A) "The most common cause of injury occurs by these substances is through acts of terrorism."
B) "Common side effects of exposure to these agents include flulike syndrome and hemorrhage."
C) "These agents include viruses and biologic toxins that can result in severe infection and injury."
D) "These agents are classified into several groups based on their nature or clinical effect."

Answer 3

"These agents are classified into several groups based on their nature or clinical effect."

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a client with exposure to an unknown chemical agent. The client asks, "Why can't a lab test be done to determine which agent I was exposed to?" What is the nurse's best response?

A) "There is no way to determine exactly which test to run."
B) "Obtaining results from a lab test would take longer than treatment would."
C) "There are no lab tests available to identify the chemical."
D) "It is more important to understand the type of injury you have."

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to assess a client injured during a large-scale disaster for signs of exposure to hazardous agents and resulting injury. Which common manifestations of injuries due to biological, chemical, and radiologic agents does the nurse identify? Select all that apply.

A) Flulike syndrome
B) Hypoxia
C) Skin ulceration
D) Esophageal trauma
E) Tracheal edema

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a client with confirmed anthrax exposure. Which statements about the mechanism of injury occurring with anthrax exposure does the nurse know to be true? Select all that apply.

A) Active bacteria produce three proteins that ultimately produce the associated symptoms.
B) After exposure to spores, the body's macrophages consume the foreign material.
C) When the spores are activated, the macrophages are destroyed and the bacteria spreads.
D) The symptom-producing compounds include the edema factor, the lethal factor, and the reactive factor.
E) The cutaneous form of the agent cannot be transmitted to another person.

Question 7

The nurse is assessing a client exposed to an unknown biologic agent. Which symptoms would cause the nurse to suspect gastrointestinal anthrax exposure? Select all that apply.

A) Abdominal pain
B) Vomiting
C) Fever and chills
D) Constipation
E) Confusion

Question 8

The nurse is teaching a community health class about anthrax exposure and prevention. Which statement will the nurse include in the material?

A) "Vaccination includes the initial dose, as well as six-month and one-year follow up injections."
B) "Vaccination is recommended for all individuals to ensure immunity."
C) "Treatment for known exposure to anthrax includes vaccination and treatment with antibiotics."
D) "Current recommendations for treatment for anthrax includes oral amoxicillin and levofloxacin."

Question 9

A nurse performing medical outreach in a developing country is assessing a client for signs and symptoms of bubonic plague. Which finding does the nurse know is characteristic of this condition?

A) Pulmonary congestion
B) Swollen lymph nodes
C) Evidence of an insect bite
D) Hypotension

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a community health class about the history of smallpox. Which statements does the nurse include in the material? Select all that apply.

A) "Smallpox was first identified in the eighteenth century."
B) "Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1977."
C) "Due to its eradication, weaponized smallpox is not considered a risk."
D) "Before being eradicated, the death rate of smallpox was 30-50%."
E) "The primary form of smallpox transmission is as a surface contaminant."

Question 11

The nurse is educating a group of industrial workers about the mechanism of injury by nerve agents. Which statement will the nurse include in the teaching?

A) "Nerve agents block the action of muscarine."
B) "Nerve agents block the action of cholinergic receptors."
C) "Nerve agents block the action of acetylcholinesterase."
D) "Nerve agents block the action of butyrylcholinesterase."

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a client exhibiting diarrhea, bradycardia, emesis, and salivation. The nurse understands that these findings are consistent with what mechanism?

A) Overstimulation of acetylcholinesterase receptors
B) Overstimulation of muscarinic receptors
C) Overstimulation of nicotinic receptors
D) Overstimulation of histone deacetylase

Question 13

The nurse is collecting the medical history of a client with exposure to a nerve agent. Which assessment findings does the nurse understand are associated with inhalation of a nerve agent? Select all that apply.

A) Rapid onset of symptoms
B) Irritation of the eyes, nose, and airways
C) Diaphoresis
D) Gastrointestinal symptoms
E) Seizures

Question 14

The nurse is educating a group of industrial employees on the importance of decontamination following exposure to a vesicant. Which statement will the nurse include in the material?

A) Cellular damage is limited to cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues.
B) The onset of symptoms occur as soon as cellular damage ensues.
C) Cellular damage occurs immediately on contact with the agent.
D) Victims may not be aware when exposure and injury has occurred.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a client with cyanide poisoning. Which statement about the mechanism of injury in this client does the nurse know to be true? Select all that apply.

A) Cyanide binds with cytochrome a3.
B) Cyanide prevents the use of oxygen by cellular mitochondria.
C) Cyanide halts ATP production in affected mitochondria.
D) Cyanide causes oxygen to continue to be extracted from hemoglobin, resulting in hypoxia.
E) Cyanide poisoning ultimately results in respiratory acidosis.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a client with radiation poisoning. Which forms of energy does the nurse understand to be common causes of radiation poisoning? Select all that apply.

A) Alpha rays
B) Beta rays
C) Protons
D) Neutrons
E) Gamma rays

Question 17

The nurse is assessing a client in the prodromal phase of radiation sickness. Which assessment findings does the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.

A) Diarrhea
B) Vomiting
C) Nausea
D) Anorexia
E) Fever

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a client recovering from radiation sickness. Which factors does the nurse know will affect the ultimate outcome for this client? Select all that apply.

A) Time to onset of symptoms
B) Severity of cutaneous effects
C) Total dose of radiation
D) Organ damage
E) Availability of medical services

Question 19

The nurse is educating a client who has experienced radiation exposure. The client asks, "What type of exposure is most likely to lead to cancer?" What is the nurse's response?

A) "All types of exposure will eventually lead to cancer."
B) "When irradiation occurs, and the energy passes through the body, cancer may develop."
C) "When contamination occurs, and radioactive material is deposited on the body, cancer may develop."
D) "When incorporation occurs, and radioactive material is taken up by the body's organs, cancer may develop."

Question 20

The nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a client with acute radiation syndrome. Which prescription will the nurse verify with the healthcare provider before proceeding?

A) IV normal saline solution for hydration
B) Oral prochlorperazine for nausea
C) Oral magnesium hydroxide for gastrointestinal prophylaxis
D) Subcutaneous filgrastim for bone marrow stimulation