Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Nerve agents cause overstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as salivation and involuntary urination.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Cutaneous anthrax typically presents with small skin lesions that develop into raised, itchy bumps. These bumps then form black scabs or eschars, which eventually fall off, leaving a painless ulcer.

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

The smallpox vaccine does have serious side effects, including the potential for life-threatening reactions in some individuals. This risk is a significant consideration in the decision-making process regarding mass immunization, especially in the absence of an immediate threat.

Question 4

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The nurse working for the CDC should learn the signs and symptoms of chemical and biological agents, obtain a listing of health and law enforcement contacts, and obtain current knowledge of emergency management in planning for a bioterrorist attack. While assisting with the stockpiling of medications and assisting in triage at local hospitals may be important tasks in responding to a bioterrorist attack, they are not the best plan of the nurse in planning for such an attack.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The immediate symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dilated pupils and aggression may be seen in later stages of radiation exposure, while weight loss and anorexia are more chronic symptoms.

Question 6

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The correct statements are A, D, and E. Drugs can be powerful weapons in emergency preparedness because they can help treat diseases that may result from bioterrorism, without them we may be quickly overwhelmed, and they can be used in chemical or nuclear attacks. The statement "We can use drugs to neutralize our enemies" is incorrect and the statement "If we control the manufacture and distribution of drugs, we will control global politics" is not relevant to emergency preparedness.

Question 7

The client comes to the emergency department with an anxiety attack. He or she 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?

Accepted Answer

The best response by the nurse would be to provide accurate information and reassurance to the client. Option A is dismissive and does not acknowledge the client's concerns, which may escalate their anxiety. Option B may also escalate anxiety by ignoring the client's concerns about the anthrax attack. Option D is similar to option C, but option C provides more concrete information about the CDC's stockpile of medications, which may be more reassuring to the client.

Question 8

A student nurse asks a nurse what items are found within the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a repository of antibiotics, vaccines, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, and other critical medical supplies. While two-way radios, prepared meals, and drinking water may be included in emergency response plans, they are not typically included in the SNS.

Question 9

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?

Accepted Answer

The best information to include in an educational plan for parents on how to protect their children in the event of a bioterrorist attack is to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for immunizations. Immunizations can protect against certain diseases that might be used in a bioterrorist attack.

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a class on anthrax to a group of emergency response workers. The nurse plans to include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form of anthrax, but inhaled anthrax is the most lethal form. It is important for emergency response workers to be aware of the differences in the types of anthrax and their potential severity. Option A is incorrect as gastrointestinal anthrax is not the most common form of the disease, and option C is incorrect as anthrax can affect a variety of animals, including livestock. Option D is incorrect as cutaneous anthrax does not typically spread from person-to-person.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Radiation exposure from a nuclear attack can increase the risk of developing leukemia and other cancers.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Small, black lesions are a classic sign of cutaneous anthrax, which is caused by exposure to Bacillus anthracis spores. Phosgene gas exposure would result in respiratory symptoms and damage, gastrointestinal anthrax would cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and hydrogen cyanide exposure would lead to rapid onset of symptoms such as confusion, headache, and dizziness.

Question 13

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?

Accepted Answer

Potassium iodide (KI) tablets saturate the thyroid gland with iodine, thereby preventing the uptake of radioactive iodine, and reducing the risk of thyroid cancer.

Question 14

A client is admitted to the emergency department with suspected exposure to anthrax. The nurse anticipates the healthcare provider will prescribe which medication?

Accepted Answer

Ciprofloxacin is the recommended medication for treating anthrax exposure as it is effective in killing the bacteria responsible for the disease. Anthrax vaccination is a preventative measure and would not be given in the emergency department for suspected exposure. Atropine is used to treat certain types of chemical poisoning and antiviral agents are not effective against bacterial infections such as anthrax.

Question 15

A nurse is planning a presentation regarding anthrax. What should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is planning a presentation regarding...

Question 16

A nurse is caring for a client who has been exposed to a nerve agent. Which antidote will the nurse plan to administer?

Accepted Answer

Atropine is the antidote for nerve agents. Apomorphine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. Acetate of ammonia is used to treat respiratory distress.

Question 17

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? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The correct statements that indicate learning has occurred are those that accurately describe aspects of emergency preparedness related to drug stockpiling and distribution. A) The vendor-managed inventory (VMI) package's ability to reach any community within 24 to 36 hours, C) The push package's capability to reach any community within 12 hours of an attack, and E) The management of the country's drug stockpile by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are all correct and reflect an understanding of the systems in place for emergency preparedness.

Question 18

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?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer indicates that the students understand that a bioterrorist attack with viruses is a real threat to Americans. The other options either contain incorrect information or do not address the specific topic of bioterrorism with viruses.

Question 19

The client has been exposed to anthrax. The nurse anticipates administering which of the following drugs?

Accepted Answer

Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is usually treated with antibiotics. The CDC recommends the use of ciprofloxacin or doxycycline in combination with other antibiotics such as penicillin, vancomycin, or clindamycin, for the treatment of anthrax. However, the combination of doxycycline and ciprofloxacin is considered the preferred regimen for post-exposure prophylaxis for anthrax. Therefore, Option D is the most appropriate choice for treatment.

Question 20

A nurse is planning a discussion of emergency preparedness with newly hired nurses. Which events would this nurse use as historical examples of terrorism? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

B and C are both historical examples of terrorism. The Tokyo subway sarin gas attack in 1995 was carried out by a terrorist group, and the anthrax attacks in 2001 were also considered acts of terrorism. A, D, and E are not examples of terrorism. A is an example of a viral outbreak, D may be related to substance abuse or mental health issues, and E is an example of an infectious disease outbreak but not related to terrorism.

Quiz 11: Emergency Preparedness and Poisonings