ACE Health Assessment & First Aid 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An entomologist handling preserved insect specimens in ethanol develops contact dermatitis on the hands. The BEST preventive measure for future work is:
- Apply petroleum jelly before contact
- Use nitrile or neoprene gloves appropriate for solvent resistance (Correct answer)
- Rinse hands with water after every 30 minutes of work
- Use latex gloves, which provide full ethanol protection
Correct answer: Use nitrile or neoprene gloves appropriate for solvent resistance
Nitrile or neoprene gloves provide significantly better chemical resistance to ethanol and other solvents compared to latex.
Question 2: A field technician is bitten by a black widow spider. Which symptom cluster is MOST characteristic of black widow envenomation?
- Spreading necrotic wound with central blister
- Severe muscle cramps, abdominal rigidity, and sweating at the bite site (Correct answer)
- Localized swelling, redness, and itching only
- High fever, chills, and joint inflammation
Correct answer: Severe muscle cramps, abdominal rigidity, and sweating at the bite site
Black widow venom (alpha-latrotoxin) causes latrodectism: severe muscle cramps, abdominal rigidity, sweating, and regional lymphadenopathy without significant local tissue damage.
Question 3: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section most critical to consult immediately after a pesticide skin exposure is:
- Section 1 – Identification
- Section 4 – First Aid Measures (Correct answer)
- Section 8 – Exposure Controls/PPE
- Section 11 – Toxicological Information
Correct answer: Section 4 – First Aid Measures
Section 4 of the SDS provides specific first aid instructions for skin, eye, inhalation, and ingestion exposures to the chemical.
Question 4: Which of the following insects is responsible for the most anaphylaxis-related deaths in the United States each year?
- Honey bees (Apis mellifera) (Correct answer)
- Paper wasps (Polistes spp.)
- Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)
- Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata)
Correct answer: Honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Honey bees cause more anaphylaxis deaths annually in the US than any other stinging insect, largely because of high exposure rates and venom sensitization.
Question 5: A worker inhales pyrethroid aerosol spray indoors without respiratory protection and reports tingling of the lips and face. The FIRST response should be:
- Induce vomiting to remove the chemical
- Move the worker to fresh air and monitor breathing (Correct answer)
- Apply topical corticosteroid cream to the face
- Administer activated charcoal immediately
Correct answer: Move the worker to fresh air and monitor breathing
For pyrethroid inhalation, immediate removal to fresh air and monitoring of respiratory status is the appropriate first aid response.
Question 6: Caterpillars of which family most commonly cause urticating hair reactions (lepidopterism) requiring medical attention in the US?
- Sphingidae (hawk moths)
- Saturniidae (giant silk moths)
- Megalopygidae (flannel moths) and Erebidae (tussock moths) (Correct answer)
- Lycaenidae (gossamer-winged butterflies)
Correct answer: Megalopygidae (flannel moths) and Erebidae (tussock moths)
Megalopygid and some erebid caterpillars bear hollow urticating setae connected to venom glands, causing intense pain and systemic reactions in some cases.
Question 7: When providing first aid to a pesticide poisoning victim, the Poison Control Center number to call in the United States is:
- 1-800-222-1222 (Correct answer)
- 1-888-426-4435
- 1-800-424-8802
- 911 only; no specialized pesticide hotline exists
Correct answer: 1-800-222-1222
1-800-222-1222 connects callers to the US Poison Control Center network, which provides 24/7 expert guidance on pesticide and chemical exposures.
ACE Health Assessment & First Aid 3
An entomologist handling preserved insect specimens in ethanol develops contact dermatitis on the hands.
The BEST preventive measure for future work is: