Deck 11: Emergency Preparedness and Poisonings

Question 1

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 statements?

A) "The vendor-managed inventory (VMI) package can reach any community within 24 to 36 hours."
B) "Our local hospital is supposed to be stockpiling antibiotics."
C) "The push package can reach any community within 12 hours of an attack."
D) "The Strategic National Stockpile is located at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta."
E) "Our country's drug stockpile is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

Answer 1

"The vendor-managed inventory (VMI) package can reach any community within 24 to 36 hours."
"The push package can reach any community within 12 hours of an attack."
"Our country's drug stockpile is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

Question 2

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

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

Answer 2

It was administered to prevent thyroid cancer.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

"The vaccine has side effects, which are serious and could kill many people."

Question 4

A nurse is planning a discussion of emergency preparedness with newly hired nurses. Which events would this nurse use as historical examples of terrorism?

A) The death of a patient in a Dallas, Texas, hospital was confirmed to be due to the Ebola virus.
B) Many people died as a result of sarin gas exposure in a Tokyo subway.
C) Twenty-two confirmed or suspected cases of anthrax infection occurred as a result of the bacillus being sent through U.S. mail.
D) There is typically a marked increase in overdoses during winter holidays.
E) More people are contracting H1N1 avian influenza.

Question 5

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

A) Penicillin (Bicillin LA) and vancomycin (Vancocin).
B) Tetracycline (Sumycin) and erythromycin (Erythrocin).
C) Ampicillin (Principen) and cefepime (Maxipime).
D) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and doxycycline (Vibramycin).

Question 6

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

A) Anthrax is a deadly bacterium; the most common and deadly form is gastrointestinal anthrax.
B) Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form, but inhaled anthrax is the most lethal form.
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.

Question 7

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) "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plan to vaccinate Americans against most viruses."
B) "Actually, a bigger concern is a nuclear weapon exploding in a city."
C) "Most Americans have already been vaccinated against the lethal viruses."
D) "A bioterrorist attack with viruses is a real threat to Americans."

Question 8

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

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

Question 9

The nurse conducts a seminar in a local community center on how Americans can be affected by radiation from a nuclear attack. The nurse determines that the education is effective when the patients 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 2 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."

Question 10

A nurse presenting information regarding anthrax should include which information?

A) Anthrax can spread easily.
B) There are three basic types of anthrax.
C) Anthrax is killed by heat.
D) The main area affected by inhalation anthrax is the lung periphery.
E) Anthrax causes disease by the emission of multiple toxins, each affecting a different part of the body.

Question 11

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) "Don't worry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has everything under control."
B) "Plan to call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if an attack occurs."
C) "Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for immunizations."
D) "Realistically, there is nothing that can be done."

Question 12

The nurse works for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In planning for a bioterrorist attack, what will the best plan of the nurse include?

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

Question 13

A nurse who is presenting community education states, "Drugs are among our most powerful weapons for emergency preparedness." What additional statements, made by the nurse, would support this statement?

A) "Drugs help us treat the diseases that could be caused by bioterrorism."
B) "We can use drugs to neutralize our enemies."
C) "If we control the manufacture and distribution of drugs, we will control global politics."
D) "Without drugs, we might be quickly overwhelmed by a bioterrorist attack."
E) "Drugs can be used in chemical or nuclear attacks."

Question 14

The patient was exposed to cutaneous anthrax 2 weeks ago. What will the nurse see when assessing the patient's skin?

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

Question 15

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

A) Salivation, involuntary urination, and convulsions
B) Dilated pupils and increased blood pressure and heart rate
C) Pinpoint pupils, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate
D) Rapid breathing and cold, clammy skin

Question 16

What would be most effective for the treatment of a person infected with anthrax?

A) Anthrax vaccination
B) Atropine
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Antiviral agents

Question 17

Which of the following correctly and completely identifies the items found within the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)?

A) Bandages, airway devices, and IV supplies
B) Antibiotics and IV fluids
C) Emergency equipment
D) Antibiotics, vaccines, and support supplies

Question 18

The patient comes to the emergency department with an anxiety attack. He tells the nurse he heard that there was another anthrax attack in the capitol 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) "Your health is in danger due to the anxiety; we really need to focus on reducing your anxiety now."
C) "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a large stockpile of medications for us in case that occurs."
D) "I'm sure the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has contingency plans in the event of an anthrax attack."

Question 19

Following a bioterrorism attack, the nurse finds that the victims are suffering from small, black lesions on their forearms. The nurse collaborates with the physician to treat exposure to which agent?

A) Cutaneous anthrax
B) Phosgene gas
C) Gastrointestinal anthrax
D) Hydrogen cyanide

Question 20

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

A) Dilated pupils and aggression
B) Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
C) Weight loss and fatigue
D) Anorexia and fatigue

Question 21

Which of the following antidotes would be indicated for a patient who overdosed on a benzodiazepine?

A) Acetylcysteine (Acetadote)
B) Digibind
C) Romazicon
D) Acetaminophen

Question 22

Atropine would be most useful for a victim of bioterrorism who experienced exposure to

A) ionizing radiation.
B) nerve gas.
C) bacterial agents.
D) viral agents.

Question 23

Which interventions will the nurse include when planning care to enhance the removal of poison from a patient who has overdosed on drugs?

A) Administering activated charcoal
B) Changing pH of urine
C) Preparing the patient for enemas
D) Inserting a nasogastric tube
E) Preparing corticosteroids for administration

Question 24

The nurse is reviewing the components of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), which include

A) intravenous administration equipment.
B) antibiotics.
C) life-support medications.
D) chemical antidotes.
E) hospital beds.

Question 25

The danger from radiation exposure arises primarily from

A) the amount of exposure.
B) the long-lasting effects.
C) the amount of cellular death.
D) the gender of the patient exposed.
E) the amount of naloxone (Narcan) ingested after exposure.

Question 26

Notice has been received that smallpox virus was aerosolized at a parade attended by thousands of people. The nurse working in the emergency department explains that the vaccine for this virus provides a high level of protection if given within _____ days of exposure.
Standard Text: Record your answer rounding to the nearest whole number.

Question 27

A patient has been received in the emergency department for treatment of poison ingestion. Gastric lavage and placement of activated charcoal has been prescribed. The nurse would withhold this treatment and collaborate with the prescriber if which instances occur?

A) The patient vomits.
B) The patient becomes unconscious.
C) The patient discloses that lithium was the drug taken.
D) Paramedics report that it has been 2 hours since the drug was taken.
E) The patient begins to pass copious amounts of watery diarrhea.

Question 28

A patient who has traveled to an area when Ebola is present is hospitalized with fever and malaise. The nurse anticipates this patient will be considered potentially infected for the length of the ______ day incubation period.
Standard Text: Record your answer rounding to the nearest whole number.

Question 29

Victims of a bioterrorism attack experienced initial nausea and vomiting followed by weight loss and eventual thyroid cancer. What was the most likely causative agent?

A) Chemical agent
B) Viral agent
C) Bacterial agent
D) Ionizing radiation

Question 30

What is the best choice for preventing thyroid cancer in persons exposed to ionizing radiation?

A) Potassium-iodine tablets
B) Calcium tablets
C) Antibiotics
D) Salt tablets