APC Emergency Response Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with suspected anaphylaxis after receiving a vaccine at the pharmacy. What is the FIRST action the pharmacist should take?
- Administer oral antihistamine
- Inject epinephrine (adrenaline) intramuscularly (Correct answer)
- Call the patient's GP and await instructions
- Apply a cold compress to the injection site
Correct answer: Inject epinephrine (adrenaline) intramuscularly
Epinephrine (adrenaline) IM is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and must be administered immediately without delay.
Question 2: When using an automated external defibrillator (AED) on a patient in cardiac arrest, what should be done immediately after the AED delivers a shock?
- Check the patient's pulse for 60 seconds
- Resume CPR immediately, starting with chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Remove the AED pads and transport the patient
- Administer a second shock within 30 seconds
Correct answer: Resume CPR immediately, starting with chest compressions
After AED shock delivery, CPR must be resumed immediately starting with chest compressions to maintain perfusion.
Question 3: A pharmacy staff member is found unconscious in the dispensary. After confirming unresponsiveness, what is the next step?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Place in recovery position
- Call for help and activate emergency services (Correct answer)
- Open the airway and check for breathing
Correct answer: Call for help and activate emergency services
After confirming unresponsiveness, the next priority is to call for help and activate emergency services (000 in Australia) before further assessment.
Question 4: Which epinephrine auto-injector concentration is most commonly used for treating anaphylaxis in adults in Australia?
- 1:100 (10 mg/mL)
- 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) (Correct answer)
- 1:10,000 (0.1 mg/mL)
- 1:100,000 (0.01 mg/mL)
Correct answer: 1:1000 (1 mg/mL)
Epinephrine 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) is the standard concentration used in EpiPen auto-injectors for anaphylaxis treatment.
Question 5: During a medication overdose emergency in the pharmacy, a patient is breathing but unconscious. What position should the patient be placed in while awaiting emergency services?
- Supine (flat on back)
- Recovery (lateral) position (Correct answer)
- Trendelenburg (legs elevated)
- Sitting upright
Correct answer: Recovery (lateral) position
The recovery position prevents aspiration of vomit and maintains a clear airway in an unconscious but breathing patient.
Question 6: A child accidently ingests an unknown quantity of iron tablets at the pharmacy. Which poison control action is correct?
- Induce vomiting immediately
- Give the child milk to coat the stomach
- Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) immediately (Correct answer)
- Administer activated charcoal without delay
Correct answer: Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) immediately
The Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) provides immediate expert guidance for poisoning cases in Australia.
Question 7: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR performed by a single rescuer?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 5:1
- 30:1
Correct answer: 30:2
The current Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.
APC Emergency Response Procedures 2
A patient presents with suspected anaphylaxis after receiving a vaccine at the pharmacy.
What is the FIRST action the pharmacist should take?