AEMCA Toxicology and Substance Abuse 2

Question 1

Which antidote is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose?

Accepted Answer

Flumazenil

Answer

Flumazenil is a competitive benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that reverses CNS and respiratory depression caused by benzodiazepine overdose.

Question 2

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is best treated prehospitally with:

Accepted Answer

100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Answer

100% high-flow oxygen reduces the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin from approximately 4–5 hours to about 60–90 minutes by competing with CO for hemoglobin binding.

Question 3

A patient with an unknown ingestion has a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances, and elevated osmol gap. Which toxic ingestion is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Methanol

Answer

Methanol is metabolized to formic acid, causing severe high anion gap metabolic acidosis and optic nerve toxicity that can lead to blindness.

Question 4

Within what time frame after ingestion is activated charcoal most effective for most overdoses?

Accepted Answer

Within 1 hour of ingestion

Answer

Activated charcoal is most effective when given within 1 hour of ingestion to adsorb toxic substances in the GI tract before systemic absorption occurs.

Question 5

A patient presents with hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability after starting a new antipsychotic medication. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

Answer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction developing over days.

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA Toxicology and Substance Abuse 2