CPEN CPEN Toxicology and Poisoning Emergencies 2

Question 1

A child presents with opioid overdose. What is the correct initial nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Administer naloxone and support airway/breathing

Answer

Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, but airway support must be maintained concurrently as naloxone duration may be shorter than the opioid.

Question 2

Which toxic ingestion is best treated with activated charcoal?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin overdose within 1 hour

Answer

Activated charcoal is most effective when given within 1 hour of aspirin ingestion, as it adsorbs salicylate and reduces systemic absorption.

Question 3

A pediatric patient ingested a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Which ECG finding is most concerning?

Accepted Answer

QRS duration greater than 100 ms

Answer

QRS widening greater than 100 ms in TCA toxicity indicates sodium channel blockade and predicts risk of ventricular arrhythmias and seizures.

Question 4

Which agent is used to treat TCA-induced wide-complex dysrhythmia and hypotension?

Accepted Answer

Sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Sodium bicarbonate alkalinizes the blood and provides sodium load to overcome TCA sodium channel blockade, reversing QRS widening and dysrhythmias.

Question 5

A child presents after ingesting a calcium channel blocker. Which hemodynamic pattern is expected?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia and hypotension

Answer

Calcium channel blocker overdose classically causes bradycardia and hypotension due to decreased cardiac conduction and peripheral vasodilation.

CPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Practice Test

CPEN - Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Practice Test

CPEN CPEN Toxicology and Poisoning Emergencies 2