Deck 3: Toxicology and Emergency Preparedness

Question 1

The nurse is teaching a class on anthrax to a group of emergency response workers. What is the best instruction to include?

A) Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form, but inhaled anthrax is the most lethal form.
B) Anthrax is a deadly bacterium; the most common and deadly form is gastrointestinal anthrax.
C) Anthrax most commonly affects wild rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks.
D) Cutaneous anthrax is serious because it quickly spreads by person -to -person contact.

Answer 1

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form, but inhaled anthrax is the most lethal form.

Question 2

The nurse conducts a seminar in a local community centre on how Canadians can be affected by radiation from a nuclear attack. The nurse determines that the education is effective when the clients make which statement?

A) "I can protect myself from cancers by taking potassium iodide (KI)."
B) "I need to stay inside my house for at least two days after the attack to be safe."
C) "I need to take at least four showers every day or I will develop skin ulcers."
D) "I am at risk to develop leukemia as a result of radiation exposure."

Answer 2

"I am at risk to develop leukemia as a result of radiation exposure."

Question 3

The nurse administers potassium iodide (KI) tablets to a client who has been exposed to radiation from a nuclear weapon. What is the rationale for administering potassium iodide (KI) to this client?

A) It was administered to prevent thyroid cancer.
B) It was administered to prevent liver cancer.
C) It was administered to prevent brain cancer.
D) It was administered to prevent renal cancer.

Answer 3

It was administered to prevent thyroid cancer.

Question 4

The client has been exposed to a nerve agent. For which symptoms will the nurse most likely assess?

A) rapid breathing and cold, clammy skin
B) salivation, involuntary urination, and convulsions
C) pinpoint pupils, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate
D) dilated pupils and increased blood pressure and heart rate

Question 5

The nursing instructor is teaching student nurses about dangerous infectious diseases. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the students make which statement?

A) "The Ebola virus has the potential to kill more people than any other virus."
B) "The dengue fever virus will kill more people than any other virus."
C) "The influenza virus is the most dangerous virus today."
D) "The human immunodeficiency virus is the most deadly virus we have."

Question 6

The client comes to the emergency department with an anxiety attack. He tells the nurse he heard that there was another anthrax attack in the United States and is concerned about running out of medications. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "You don't need to worry about another attack at all; I think our government can take care of us."
B) "The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a large stockpile of medications for us in case that occurs."
C) "I'm sure the Centre of Emergency Prepardness and Response (CEPR) has contingency plans in the event of an anthrax attack."
D) "Your health is in danger due to the anxiety; we really need to focus on reducing your anxiety now."

Question 7

The client tells the nurse that she is concerned about terrorist activity and questions if everyone should be immunized against smallpox. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "The vaccine has some serious side effects, but this is probably a good idea."
B) "Don't be so concerned; if an attack comes, we will immunize people then."
C) "The vaccine has side effects, which are serious and could kill many people."
D) "I really do not think our country has enough vaccine to do this."

Question 8

The nursing instructor is teaching student nurses about the use of viruses in a bioterrorism attack. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the students make which statement?

A) "Most Canadians have already been vaccinated against the lethal viruses."
B) "Health Canada has a plan to vaccinate Canadians against most viruses."
C) "A bioterrorist attack with viruses is a real threat to people all over the world."
D) "Actually, a bigger concern is a nuclear weapon exploding in a city."

Question 9

The client was exposed to cutaneous anthrax two weeks ago. What will the nurse see when assessing the client's skin?

A) large pustules, and later, reddish scabs
B) small skin lesions, and later, black scabs
C) ulcerated areas, and later, keloids
D) small, fluid -filled vesicles, and later, small skin erosions

Question 10

The client has been exposed to a nerve agent. Which antidote will the nurse plan to administer?

A) Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
B) Apomorphine
C) Atropine (MarkI)
D) Acetate of ammonia

Question 11

The nurse is teaching the importance of drugs for emergency preparedness to local firemen. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the firemen make which statement(s)? Select all that apply.

A) "A 24 -hour response capability is maintained."
B) "Our local hospital is supposed to be stockpiling antibiotics."
C) "The agency assesses and refurbishes stockpile units and distributes medical and pharmaceutical supplies at the request of the provinces."
D) "Our country's drug stockpile is managed by the Public Health Agency of Canada."
E) "The central depot in Toronto, and eight other warehouses."

Question 12

The client has been exposed to anthrax. What treatment will the nurse plan to administer?

A) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and doxycycline (Vibramycin).
B) Tetracycline (Apo -Tetra) and erythromycin (Erythrocin).
C) Ampicillin (Apo-Amoxi) and cefepime (Maxipine).
D) Penicillin (Bicillin LA and vancomycin (Vancocin).

Question 13

A small nuclear weapon has been detonated in a nearby city. For which immediate symptoms of radiation sickness will the nurse assess in clients who have been exposed?

A) dilated pupils and aggression
B) anorexia and fatigue
C) weight loss and fatigue
D) nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Question 14

The nurse works for the Centre of Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR). In planning for a bioterrorist attack, what will the best plan of the nurse include? Select all that apply.

A) Obtain a listing of health and law enforcement contacts.
B) Obtain current knowledge of emergency management.
C) Assist in triage at local hospitals.
D) Learn the signs and symptoms of chemical and biological agents.
E) Assist in the stockpiling of medications.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing an educational plan for parents about how to protect their children if a bioterrorist attack occurs. What is the best information to include?

A) Realistically, there is nothing that can be done.
B) Plan to call a Public Health Agency of Canada if an attack occurs.
C) Follow the Health Canada guidelines for immunizations.
D) Don't worry, the Health Canada has everything under control.