Deck 40: Near Drowning

Question 1

A wet drowning victim will have the following pulmonary function test finding:

A) increased Vt.
B)increased DLCO.
C)decreased VC.
D)increased TLC.

Answer 1

decreased VC.

Question 2

Most wet drowning victims will require the following support:
1) Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
2) Hemodialysis
3) Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
4) Mechanical ventilation

A)1, 4
B)3, 4
C)1, 2, 3
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Answer 2

1, 4

Question 3

The initial chest radiograph appearance of a near drowning victim may include:
1) normal lung fields.
2) atelectasis.
3) pulmonary edema.
4) pencil point sign.

A)1, 3
B)2, 4
C)1, 2, 3
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Answer 3

1, 2, 3

Question 4

After an extended time underwater, a near drowning victim will most likely show:

A) tachypnea.
B)normal respiratory rate.
C)bradypnea.
D)apnea.

Question 5

Many adult drowning victims have been shown to have:

A) used alcohol.
B)had a stroke.
C)eaten just before swimming.
D)had a heart attack.

Question 6

Warming techniques for a cold-water near drowning victim include all of the following, EXCEPT:

A) cooling the extremities and warming the body.
B)warming the inspired oxygen.
C)heated intravenous solutions.
D)heated lavage of the pericardial space.

Question 7

Auscultation of a wet drowning victim will usually reveal the following breath sounds:
1) Rhonchi
2) Vesicular
3) Crackles
4) Friction rub

A)3, 4
B)1, 3
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3

Question 8

A 10-year-old girl was rescued from a school swimming pool. She was unconscious and transported to the hospital. There, she awakened and it was found that her lungs were dry and normal. What could cause her to be a near drowning victim with dry lungs?

A) Her glottis spasmed to close the airway.
B)Chlorinated pool water is quickly absorbed.
C)Her young age and cool pool water
D)She swallowed all of the water.

Question 9

What water temperature has been shown to be a favorable prognostic factor in near drowning?

A) Higher than 104° F
B)98.6° F
C)Between 98° F and 70° F
D)Less than 70° F

Question 10

Favorable prognostic factors in cold-water near-drowning include:
1) greater effort to reach the surface.
2) alcohol in the victim.
3) colder water.
4) younger age.

A)1, 2
B)3, 4
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Question 11

A near drowning victim in cardiac arrest has been put in an ambulance. The primary goals of the paramedics should be:
1) getting the victim to the hospital as soon as possible.
2) high-quality CPR.
3) warming the cold victim.
4) giving 100% oxygen.

A)1, 2
B)2, 4
C)1, 2, 3
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Question 12

The pulmonary effects of a near-drowning victim inhaling water include:
1) alveolar consolidation.
2) bronchospasm.
3) production of frothy, white secretions.
4) pleural effusion.

A)2, 3
B)1, 2, 3
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Question 13

If a person should near drown in unclean, swampy water what are the possible pulmonary complications?
1) Pneumonia
2) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
3) Pulmonary fibrosis
4) Pulmonary hypertension

A)1
B)3, 4
C)1, 2
D)1, 2, 3

Question 14

Hospital management of near drowning victims includes all of the following, EXCEPT:

A) measurement of arterial blood gas values.
B)rewarming if the patient is hypothermic.
C)measurement of venous blood gas values.
D)chest radiography.

Question 15

In comparing the pathologic changes to the lungs caused by fresh water vs. salt water, the following can be stated:

A) Salt water causes more damage.
B)Fresh water causes more damage.
C)They cause the same types of damage.
D)Warm water of either type causes more damage than cold water of either type.