Question 1

You are at a scene where a 42 year old man has difficulty breathing and pain in his chest and shoulders. He recalls feeling a sharp pinprick on his arm while cleaning out his attic. What type of bite is this man most likely suffering from?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including difficulty breathing, chest and shoulder pain, and the sensation of a sharp pinprick, are consistent with a Black Widow spider bite. Black Widow venom can cause significant systemic reactions, including muscle cramps and respiratory distress.

Question 2

Your patient was stung on the foot when he stepped on a stingray in the ocean. After flushing the wound, you should:

Accepted Answer

Immersing the foot in hot water is recommended for stingray stings because the heat can help neutralize the venom, which is protein-based and can be denatured by heat, reducing pain and inflammation. Other options are not recommended treatments for stingray stings.

Question 3

Which of the following statements regarding dog bites is correct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements regarding dog...

Question 4

Your patient has a small avulsion and localized swelling on his hand that he says occurred when he hit another man in the face. You should

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your patient has a small avulsion and...

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding temperature is correct?

Accepted Answer

Armpit (axillary) temperature is generally about 1 degree Fahrenheit lower than the body's core temperature, which is more accurately measured by rectal or oral methods.

Question 6

The body's "thermostat" is the

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that functions as the body's thermostat, regulating temperature by triggering responses to heat and cold.

Question 7

More than half of the heat lost from the body occurs from what type of process?

Accepted Answer

More than half of the heat lost from the body occurs through radiation, a process where heat is emitted from the body's surface without direct contact with another surface.

Question 8

The transfer of heat due to moving air currents is

Accepted Answer

Convection is the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids or gases) caused by molecular motion. In the case of moving air currents, the warm air rises and cool air descends, creating a convection current that transfers heat.

Question 9

A 26 year old man is lying in the snow. He is confused and having difficulty moving. You should

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 26 year old man is lying...

Question 10

What type of vital signs would appear in a patient who has worsening hypothermia?

Accepted Answer

In hypothermia, as the body temperature drops, the body initially tries to generate heat, which can cause an increase in breathing rate. However, as the condition worsens, the metabolic rate decreases, leading to a decrease in the breathing rate as the body conserves energy.

Question 11

You arrive at a scene where a 32 year old woman has been outside for a prolonged time in 50F degree weather. She has an irregular heart rate, pale skin and a reduced breathing rate, and is unable to answer questions regarding her condition. You suspect

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, such as irregular heart rate, pale skin, reduced breathing rate, and confusion, are indicative of moderate hypothermia.

Question 12

Your 47 year old male patient was submerged in freezing water and has rigidity in addition to blue skin. He responds to your voice, but you are having difficulty feeling his pulse. You should cover him in a warm blanket and

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your 47 year old male patient was...

Question 13

Which of the following statements regarding local cold injury is correct?

Accepted Answer

Local cold injury can occur when ice crystals form inside cells, leading to cellular damage. This process disrupts the cell membrane and can cause cell death, which is a key mechanism of injury in frostbite and other cold-related injuries. Alcohol consumption actually increases the risk of cold injury by causing vasodilation, leading to increased heat loss from the body's surface. Frost nip is considered an early stage of cold injury, not a late one, and it typically affects the skin's surface without causing permanent damage. Blood vessels initially constrict in response to cold to preserve core body temperature, not expand.

Question 14

You are at a scene where a 33 year old female jogger is suffering from hyperthermia. She is awake and alert and her skin is pale and moist. You should

Accepted Answer

Hyperthermia treatment involves stabilizing the patient in a comfortable position and carefully rehydrating them. Giving small amounts of water helps prevent further dehydration without overwhelming the body. Cooling methods like fanning or applying wet towels should be done cautiously to avoid inducing shivering, which can increase body temperature. Removing clothing and direct application of cool packs can be too aggressive and may cause shock or skin damage. Nasal cannula oxygen is not specifically indicated for hyperthermia unless there are signs of respiratory distress or hypoxia.

Question 15

You are at a scene where an 18 year old male was found unconscious at the bottom of a swimming pool. What type of drowning occurred in this instance?

Accepted Answer

Submersion drowning refers to a situation where an individual is underwater and cannot breathe, leading to a lack of oxygen. Since the scenario describes someone found unconscious at the bottom of a pool, it indicates that the individual was submerged underwater, fitting the definition of submersion drowning.

Question 16

A dry drowning occurs when

Accepted Answer

Dry drowning happens when the vocal cords spasm and close up after being irritated, usually by water. This prevents air from reaching the lungs, leading to suffocation even though water does not enter the lungs.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding drowning factors is correct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements regarding drowning...

Question 18

A drowning victim is in the water but still has a pulse. Proper emergency care in this instance MAY include:

Accepted Answer

If the drowning victim has a pulse but is not breathing adequately, rescue breathing should be initiated. Stabilizing the patient on a long backboard in shallow water allows for safe and effective rescue breathing.

Question 19

You are at the scene of a diving accident. Your 37 year old male has mild abdominal pain, nose bleed, chest pain, dizziness and bloody drainage from his ear. His friends tell you that he ascended from the water too quickly. You should suspect

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are at the scene of a...

Question 20

The most common heat-related illness is

Accepted Answer

Heat exhaustion is the most common heat-related illness, characterized by symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, fainting, and vomiting. It occurs when the body overheats and loses water and salt through excessive sweating, typically in high temperature environments.

Quiz 40: Environmental Trauma