REY T.

GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

1.) A 5-year-old boy is brought by his mother to the emergency department after ingesting a bottle of
acetylsalicylic acid. Which procedure should be initially instituted with this child?

A. Administer ipecac by mouth and C. Administer a chelating agent such as

monitor emesis. edetate calcium disodium.

B. Institute a gastric lavage and D. Institute a gastric lavage and

administer activated charcoal. administer the antidote acetylcysteine.

Answer: B. Institute a gastric lavage and administer activated charcoal.

Rationale: A gastric lavage must be performed after ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid, and activated
charcoal is administered to prevent further absorption of the substance. N-acetylcysteine is the antidote
for acetaminophen. Administering ipecac or edetate calcium disodium is not a treatment measure for
acetylsalicylic acid poisoning. Edetate calcium disodium may be prescribed for the treatment of lead
poisoning. Ipecac causes vomiting, and this substance is used only in specific poisoning conditions; in this
situation, vomiting can cause irritation of the esophagus.

2. A 30-year-old male, who ingested an unknown substance, begins to vomit. You should?

A. Collect the vomitus and bring it to C. Analyze the vomitus and try to
the hospital. identify the poison.

B. Apply a bag-valve mask. D. Suction his oropharynx for no longer

than 30 seconds.

Answer: A

Rationale: If the patient vomits, examine the contents for pill fragments. Ensure that you are wearing
proper personal protective equipment for this activity. Note and document anything unusual that you
see. You should try to collect the vomitus in a separate plastic bag so that it can be analyzed at the
hospital.

3. Most poisonings occur via the _______ route.

A. injection C. inhalation

B. ingestion D. absorption

Answer: B. Ingestion

Rationale: Approximately 80% of all poisonings occur by ingestion.

REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

4. How much activated charcoal should you administer to a 55-pound child who swallowed a bottle of
aspirin?

A. 12.5g C. 2g/kg

B. 25g D 50g

Answer: B 25g

Rationale: The usual dose of activated charcoal for adults and children is 1 g of charcoal per kg of body
weight. To convert a patient’s weight from pounds to kilograms, simply divide the weight in pounds by
2.2. Therefore, a 55-pound child should receive 25 g of activated charcoal (55 [pounds] ÷ 2.2 = 25 [kg]).
The average pediatric dosing range for activated charcoal is 12.5 to 25 g.

5. After taking Vicodin for 2 years for chronic pain, a 40-year-old woman finds that her usual dosage is no
longer effective and goes to the doctor to request a higher dosage. This is an example of?

A. addiction. C. tolerance.

B. dependence. D. drug abuse.

Answer: C tolerance

Rationale: A person who takes a medication for a prolonged period of time often finds that higher doses
of the medication are required to achieve the same effect. This is called tolerance.

6. A 21-year-old male was found unconscious in an alley. Your initial assessment reveals that his
respirations are slow and shallow, and his pulse is slow and weak. Further assessment reveals that his
pupils are bilaterally constricted. His presentation is MOST consistent with an overdose of:

A. cocaine. C. a stimulant drug.

B. an opioid. D. methamphetamine.

Answer: B an opioid

Rationale: Opioids are central nervous system depressant drugs; when taken in excess, they cause
respiratory depression, bradycardia, and hypotension. Another common sign is miosis (constricted
[pinpoint]) pupils. Cocaine, stimulant drugs (uppers), and methamphetamine have the opposite effect;
they stimulate the central nervous system and cause tachycardia and hypertension.

7. Food poisoning is almost always caused by eating food that contains?

A. Fungi C. Bacteria.

B. Viruses D. Protozoa

Answer: C bacteria
REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

Rationale: Food poisoning is almost always caused by eating food that contains bacteria. Salmonella
poisoning and botulism two common forms of food poisoning is both caused by bacteria.

8. Which of the following effects does ethyl alcohol NOT produce?

A. Induction of sleep C. Inappropriate behavior

B. Slowing of reflexes D. Increased sense of awareness

Answer: D increased sense of awareness

Rationale: Ethyl alcohol (ETOH) is both a sedative (decreases activity and excitement) and a hypnotic
(induces sleep). It dulls the sense of awareness, slows reflexes, and reduces reaction time. It may also
cause aggressive or inappropriate behavior and lack of coordination.

9. When caring for a patient with a contact poisoning, it is important to remember to:

A. prevent contamination of the patient. C. let the hospital remove the surface poison.

B. avoid contaminating yourself or others. D. immediately flush dry chemicals with water.

Answer: B avoid contaminating yourself or others

Rationale: Emergency care for a patient with a contact poisoning includes avoiding contaminating
yourself and others and removing the irritating or corrosive substance from the patient as rapidly as
possible. Dry chemicals must be brushed from the body prior to flushing with water.

10. Where does a poisoning most commonly take place with children?

A. School C. Home

B. Playground D. Pizza hut

Answer: C Home

Rationale: A poisoning most commonly takes place with children at home. This is because children
spend a significant amount of time at home, where they have access to various household items that
may be toxic if ingested. Additionally, parents may not always be able to closely monitor their children's
activities, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.

11. Which profession is the study of poisons and all other substances that could be dangerous or even
fatal if mishandled by people?

A. Meth Dealer

B. Toxicologist
REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

C. Tacocologist

D. Chemical Technologist

Answer: B Toxicologist

Rationale: A toxicologist is a professional who studies poisons and other substances that can be harmful
or deadly if not handled properly. They analyze the effects of these substances on living organisms and
work to understand their mechanisms of action, toxicity levels, and potential risks to human health.
Their expertise is crucial in areas such as forensic science, environmental monitoring, and
pharmaceutical research. The other options listed, such as a meth dealer or tacocoligist, do not pertain
to the study of poisons and are unrelated to the field of toxicology.

12. Ms. Ma Raneth a 30-year-old-female, ingested 100 tablets of acetaminophen because she saw his
boyfriend with another woman and wants to be dead but her boyfriend rushed her to the ER, as a
knowledgeable nurse what is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?

A. Atropine C. Vit K

B. Nalmefence D. N-acetylcystein

Answer: D. N-acetylcysteine

Rationale: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or acetylcysteine, is an extremely effective antidote for

acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity due to an acute overdose, especially if administered within 8-10
hours after ingestion.

13. A Bacterium that is usually found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk, in meat and water that can
cause Food poisoning.

A. pseudomonas C. salmonella bacterium

B. bacillus D. aquificota

Answer: D. aquificota

Rationale: Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods, including chicken, beef, pork, eggs, fruits,
vegetables, and even processed foods. Some people are more likely to get an infection and serious
illness. You can take steps to prevent infection, such as following the clean, separate, cook, and chill
guidelines

14. What is the name of the poison responsible for fatalities in those who consume improperly prepared
puffer fish?

A. Tetanospasmin C. Muscarine

B. Aflatoxin D. Tetrodotoxin

Answer: D. Tetrodotoxin
REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

Rationale: Puffer fish, prepared as the delicacy fugu in Japan, contain a neurotoxin known as
tetrodotoxin that is likely produced by symbiotic microorganisms. It is found in the skin, the liver, and the
sex organs, and these parts of the fish must be carefully removed by a trained professional chef in order
for the flesh to be edible

15. Which of the following is NOT automatically included in first aid steps when ingestion of a poison is
suspected?

A. call a poison control center C. Identify the poison by reading the label

B. Encourage the victim to vomit D. Prevent additional absorption of the poison.

Answer: B. Encourage the victim to vomit

Rationale: Vomiting is not always the best approach, depending on the nature of the poison ingested,
and it often does not eliminate a large amount of the poison. Choices A, C, and D should be done
whenever possible.

16. The first priority in helping a person who may have been poisoned is to ensure that?

A. The person is conscious C. Bystanders are not poisoned as well

B. The person can breathe D. Bystanders do not interfere with rescuers

Answers: C. Bystanders are not poisoned as well

Rationale: First priority in helping a poisoned person is for bystanders not to become poisoned
themselves. For example, people exposed to a toxic gas should be removed from the source quickly,
preferably out into fresh air. Choices A, B, and D are important but C is the first priority.

17. Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning. Lead causes the most damage in which
developing body system?

A. brain C. liver
B. kidneys
D. sex organs

Answer: A. Brain

Rationale: Brain and nervous system. Young children who have been exposed to lead may become
cranky and their attention span and play activity may decrease over the course of several weeks. Chronic
lead poisoning in children may cause intellectual disability, seizure disorders, aggressive behavior
disorders, developmental regression, chronic abdominal pain, and anemia. B, C, D: Other body systems
are also affected.

18. Lead poisoning may be treated with each of the following methods EXCEPT?

A. antibiotics C. stopping exposure to lead

B. Chelation therapy and mineral D. whole-bowel irrigation

supplements
REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

Answer: A. Antibiotics

Rationale: Antibiotics are not useful in treating lead poisoning. B: Chelation therapy is a method of
removing lead from the body by use of drugs that bind with the lead, allowing it to pass into the urine.
Because drugs used in chelation therapy can remove beneficial minerals such as zinc, copper, and iron,
the patient is often given supplements of helpful minerals. C: Stopping exposure to lead is an important
part of treatment. Choice D may be used if an abdominal x-ray shows lead chips.

19. Which of the following is NOT an effect of a poisonous snakebite?

A. Changes in blood cells. C. Difficulty in blood clotting

B. Damage to blood vessels. D. Problematic changes in liver functions

Answer: D. Problematic changes in liver functions

Rationale: Problematic changes in liver functioning are not characteristic effects of poisonous venom
injected by a snakebite. Choices A, B, and C are all typical effects of poisonous snake venom. These
effects can lead to internal bleeding and to heart, kidney, and respiratory failure.

20. After a person is bitten by a snake, which of the following is a helpful step to take while waiting for
medical assistance?

A. Applying a tourniquet to the affected C. Giving the person alcohol and/or

limb caffeine

B. Applying suction to remove the D. Remove watches, rings, and tight

venom clothing from the limb affected by the
bite

Answer: D. Remove watches, rings, and tight clothing from the limb affected by the bite.

Rationale: Remove watches, rings, and tight clothing from the limb affected by the bite. It is also helpful
to loosely immobilize the affected limb and keep it at about heart level. Choices A, B, and C are not
recommended.

21. Overdose of a medication can occur by accident or it can be intentional. Which of the following is the
most likely cause of an intentional overdose?

A. Error by the pharmacist dispensing C. Mistake by the nurse administering the

the medication medication

B. Mistake by the doctor prescribing the D. Suicide attempt by the person taking the
medication medication

Answer: D. Suicide attempt by the person taking the medication

REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

Rationale: An intentional overdose can occur if the person taking a medication wants to commit suicide
or if a person administering the medication to the patient intends to commit homicide. Choices A, B, and
C: Accidental overdose toxicity sometimes occurs when errors or mistakes are made by the pharmacist
dispensing the medication, the doctor prescribing the medication, or the nurse administering the
medication.

22. Which of the following populations are at highest risk for overdose toxicity?

A. Adolescents C. Older adults

B. Adults D. Young children

Answer: D. Young children

Rationale: Brightly colored tablets and capsules, most of which are adult-dosed, can attract the attention
of young children. Therefore, federal regulations in the United States require all medications to be
dispensed in childproof containers. Choices A, B, and C: These populations are not at highest risk of
medication toxicity.

23. Which of the following statements about spider bites is NOT correct?

A. A specific diagnosis can only be made C. There is no way to identify a

if the spider that caused the bite can be particular spider on the basis of its bite
identified mark

B. It is usually possible to retrieve a D. Widow spiders have a red or orange

spider intact after it has bitten a human hourglass-shaped marking on their
abdomen.

Answer: B. It is usually possible to retrieve a spider intact after it has bitten a human

Rationale: Following a spider bite, it is rare to be able to retrieve the spider intact. Choices A, C, and D
are correct statements about spider bites. While both widow and brown spiders have recognizable
markings, these markings can be difficult to discern, meaning diagnosis is rarely certain and treatment
must be based on symptoms.

24. Which of the following groups of people might NOT need to be hospitalized following a bite by a
widow spider?

A. Children C. Adults older than 60 years

B. Adults ages 20 to 60 years D. People with high blood pressure or heart

disease

Answer: B. Adults ages 20 to 60 years

Rationale: Adults ages 20 to 60 generally do not need to be hospitalized following a spider bite. Choices
A, C, and D are examples of individuals who may need to be hospitalized. Also, anyone with severe
symptoms may require hospitalization.
REY T. GABIA
BSN 4-E POISONING

25. An 8-year-old client is brought to the emergency department with a suspected drug overdose. Which
information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the family?

A. Past history of depression. C. Reason for the suicide attempt.

B. The drug that was ingested. D. The time since the drug ingestion.

Answer: B. The drug that was ingested.

Rationale: Treatment will be dictated by the specific drug taken in the overdose. Information provided
about amount, time, and underlying medical problems will be very helpful.