EMR EMR Environmental Emergencies and Hazmat Awareness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a hazmat scene, the placard on a tanker shows the UN number 1017. What does this indicate to the EMR?
- The tanker contains flammable liquid
- The placard number helps identify the substance using the Emergency Response Guidebook (Correct answer)
- The number indicates the number of victims inside
- UN numbers only apply to radioactive materials
Correct answer: The placard number helps identify the substance using the Emergency Response Guidebook
UN numbers on placards correspond to specific substances in the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), allowing responders to identify hazards and safe actions.
Question 2: A patient is found near an overturned pesticide tanker, drooling, with miosis and muscle twitching. What class of agent is responsible?
- Caustic alkali
- Organophosphate or nerve agent (cholinergic toxidrome) (Correct answer)
- Opioid overdose
- Sympathomimetic agent
Correct answer: Organophosphate or nerve agent (cholinergic toxidrome)
SLUDGE signs (Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, GI distress, Emesis) and miosis indicate cholinergic poisoning from organophosphates or nerve agents.
Question 3: What is the correct order of decontamination priorities for a contaminated victim at a hazmat scene?
- Treat life threats first regardless of contamination
- Remove and bag clothing, then flush with large amounts of water (Correct answer)
- Apply antidotes before decontamination
- Transport immediately without any decontamination
Correct answer: Remove and bag clothing, then flush with large amounts of water
Removing clothing eliminates up to 80% of contamination, followed by copious water flushing — this sequence protects both the victim and responders.
Question 4: A patient who fell through ice into a frozen lake is pulled out. Their core temperature is estimated at 30°C (86°F). What rhythm disturbance is most concerning?
- Sinus tachycardia
- Ventricular fibrillation (Correct answer)
- First-degree AV block
- Normal sinus rhythm
Correct answer: Ventricular fibrillation
Severe hypothermia (below 30°C) makes the myocardium highly susceptible to ventricular fibrillation, which is the primary lethal rhythm concern.
Question 5: When responding to a potential radiation emergency, the EMR's best protection follows the three principles of:
- Hydration, ventilation, and medication
- Time, distance, and shielding (Correct answer)
- PPE, decontamination, and triage
- Isolation, notification, and treatment
Correct answer: Time, distance, and shielding
Minimizing time of exposure, maximizing distance from the source, and using shielding are the three fundamental radiation protection principles.
Question 6: A swimmer is rescued and is breathing but unconscious after a submersion incident. The EMR should:
- Apply a cervical collar regardless of the mechanism
- Place in recovery position, monitor airway, and prepare for deterioration (Correct answer)
- Withhold oxygen to avoid oxygen toxicity
- Assume the patient will fully recover without intervention
Correct answer: Place in recovery position, monitor airway, and prepare for deterioration
Post-submersion patients can deteriorate rapidly due to secondary drowning or aspiration; maintaining airway and close monitoring during transport is critical.
EMR EMR Environmental Emergencies and Hazmat Awareness 2
At a hazmat scene, the placard on a tanker shows the UN number 1017.
What does this indicate to the EMR?