Chapter 31: Poisoning Buttaro: Primary Care: A Collaborative Practice, 6th Edition

Multiple Choice

1. During chemistry class, a nursing student has accidentally splashed a chemical into his or her left eye. What intervention has priority while awaiting the arrival of the emergency medical service (EMS) personnel?

a. Flushing the eye with water b. Removing the student to a quiet, dark area c. Encouraging the student to relax and remain calm d. Securing a sample of the chemical to be given to EMS

ANS: A a. Flumazenil b. N-acetylcysteine c. Naloxone d. Supportive care only

In general, skin and eye decontamination are done immediately on hospital arrival (should be started prehospital, if possible, and completed on hospital arrival). While encouraging the student to remain calm and placing them in a quiet environment as well as preparing to provide a sample of the chemical may all be helpful, none of those interventions have priority over beginning the decontamination of the eye.

2. A patient who ingested a bottle of acetaminophen tablets is brought to the emergency department. Which treatment is indicated?

ANS: B

NURSINGTB.COM a. Basic life support b. Communication with authorities c. Containing the exposures d. Informing the public of the risk

N-acetylcysteine is used as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose. Flumazenil is used to treat benzodiazepine overdose. Naloxone is given for opioid overdose.

3. What is the priority in emergency management of a biological terrorism attack?

ANS: C

In a bioterrorism attack, the initial priority is to contain the exposures and prevent expansion of the event to others. Basic life support is the second priority and close communication with authorities is the third priority. Informing the public is a later priority after the situation has been stabilized.