Chapter 110 Potential Weapons of Biologic, Radiologic, and Chemical Terrorism

Chapter 110  Potential Weapons of Biologic, Radiologic, and Chemical Terrorism

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A patient reported to have been exposed to mustard gas is brought to the emergency department. The patient’s skin is red and swollen with small blisters, and the patient’s eyes are red and tearing. The patient has a runny nose and a dry, barking cough. What should the nurse’s initial action be?
a.
Prepare for renal dialysis.
b.
Provide oxygen and prepare for mechanical ventilation.
c.
Remove the patient’s clothing and clean the skin with soap and water.
d.
Rush the patient to the intensive care unit for cardiorespiratory monitoring.

ANS: C
Patients exposed to sulfur mustard should undress immediately and wash three times with soap and water. Renal dialysis is not indicated. Oxygen may be useful but is not as important as decontamination. Rushing the patient to the ICU should not be the initial action.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1342
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

2. A nurse is teaching a course in bioterrorism to a group of military nurses. Which statement by a military nurse indicates understanding of the teaching?
a.
“Although smallpox has been eradicated, it remains a threat.”
b.
“Anthrax is spread rapidly from person to person.”
c.
“Pneumonic plague is not transmitted from person to person.”
d.
“Terrorists spreading tularemia would most likely put it in the water supply.”

ANS: A
Smallpox has been eradicated as an endemic disease but it remains a threat because so many people are un-immunized. The virus is still available in laboratories throughout the world. Anthrax is not spread from person to person. Pneumonic plague is spread from person to person. Tularemia would be spread by terrorists as an aerosol.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 1336-1340
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance

3. A nurse responds when a patient asks why the smallpox vaccine is no longer given. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a.
“The smallpox vaccine can cause serious side effects.”
b.
“The smallpox vaccine can confer protection when given after exposure.”
c.
“The smallpox vaccine is too expensive to give routinely.”
d.
“The smallpox vaccine may cause live virus to spread to others.”

ANS: C
The smallpox vaccine can cause serious side effects and the live virus in the vaccine may be transmitted to others. Because it can confer protection even after exposure to the illness, it may be given when needed. It is not true that it is withheld because it is too expensive.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 1339-1341
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance

4. A group of people has been exposed to ricin by inhalation of ricin mist. When preparing to receive these victims in the emergency department, nurses will prepare to:
a.
administer antidotes.
b.
give chelating agents.
c.
provide respiratory support.
d.
start hemodialysis.

ANS: C
Within a few hours of inhaling ricin mist, victims experience coughing, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, and muscle aches. The airway may become severely inflamed and edematous and breathing can become extremely difficult. Management of poisoning with ricin is purely supportive. There is no antidote or chelating agent. Hemodialysis is not indicated.

PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1341
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control