EMPCO Emergency Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. After calling 911, what is the NEXT immediate action?
- Administer aspirin if the worker is not allergic and conscious (Correct answer)
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Place the worker in a prone position
- Offer the worker water to drink
Correct answer: Administer aspirin if the worker is not allergic and conscious
Aspirin helps reduce clot formation in suspected cardiac events and should be given to conscious, non-allergic patients while awaiting EMS.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct chain of survival sequence for cardiac arrest?
- Early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care (Correct answer)
- Early CPR, early defibrillation, early access, early advanced care
- Early defibrillation, early CPR, early access, early advanced care
- Early advanced care, early CPR, early defibrillation, early access
Correct answer: Early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care
The AHA chain of survival begins with early access (calling 911), followed by CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care.
Question 3: When managing a scene with multiple injured workers, which victim should be treated LAST using the START triage system?
- A worker who is breathing but unresponsive (black tag)
- A worker with a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
- A worker with a radial pulse and can follow commands
- A worker with a minor laceration who is walking (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A worker with a minor laceration who is walking
In START triage, walking wounded are tagged green (minor) and treated last so resources focus on critical patients first.
Question 4: An employee is found with a chemical splash in both eyes. The occupational health nurse should FIRST:
- Irrigate eyes continuously with water for at least 15–20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply an antibiotic eye ointment
- Cover both eyes with sterile pads and transport
- Identify the chemical before beginning treatment
Correct answer: Irrigate eyes continuously with water for at least 15–20 minutes
Immediate copious irrigation is the priority for chemical eye exposure; delaying treatment to identify the substance causes preventable damage.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which action is required after a needlestick injury to an employee?
- Document the exposure and facilitate post-exposure evaluation within 24 hours (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the employee's work duties for 14 days
- Administer antibiotics without further evaluation
- Report only if the source patient is known to be HIV positive
Correct answer: Document the exposure and facilitate post-exposure evaluation within 24 hours
OSHA requires documentation and a confidential post-exposure medical evaluation regardless of the source's known status.
Question 6: Which OSHA standard requires employers to have a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP) when they have more than 10 employees?
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.120
- 29 CFR 1910.1030
- 29 CFR 1910.147
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.38
29 CFR 1910.38 mandates a written Emergency Action Plan for workplaces with more than 10 employees.
Question 7: A worker develops sudden slurred speech, facial drooping on one side, and arm weakness. The medical responder should:
- Activate EMS immediately and note the time symptoms began (Correct answer)
- Have the worker drink water and lie down to rest
- Administer aspirin and monitor for 30 minutes
- Apply oxygen and transport the worker home
Correct answer: Activate EMS immediately and note the time symptoms began
These are classic stroke symptoms (FAST criteria); immediate EMS activation and documenting symptom onset time is critical for treatment decisions.
EMPCO Emergency Protocols 2
A worker reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm.
After calling 911, what is the NEXT immediate action?