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Emergency Response Procedures Flashcards

7 cards from real FACEM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Emergency Response Procedures flashcards as text

  1. Which biological agent causing respiratory failure is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent due to its high case-fatality rate and person-to-person transmission potential?

    Answer: Pneumonic plague (Yersinia pestis)

    Pneumonic plague (Yersinia pestis) is a Category A agent because of its near 100% mortality if untreated, aerosol transmissibility, and high potential for mass casualties.

  2. In a multi-vehicle highway crash with 20 casualties, the unified command structure should include representatives from which agencies?

    Answer: Police, fire, and EMS/medical

    Unified command in a highway MCI requires representation from police (scene security/traffic), fire (extrication/hazmat), and EMS/medical (patient care coordination).

  3. A patient arrives from a chemical spill with severe bronchospasm, lacrimation, salivation, and muscle fasciculations. Which class of agents is MOST likely responsible?

    Answer: Cholinergic agents (organophosphates/nerve agents)

    The SLUDGE/DUMBELS constellation of cholinergic symptoms (salivation, lacrimation, fasciculations, bronchospasm) indicates nerve agent or organophosphate exposure.

  4. Under crisis standards of care (CSC) during a declared disaster, which change to normal medical practice may be ethically permissible?

    Answer: Withdrawing ventilators from patients unlikely to survive to benefit those more likely to survive

    CSC frameworks may ethically permit ventilator reallocation from patients very unlikely to survive to those with better prognosis, guided by established triage protocols and ethics committees.

  5. What is the PRIMARY purpose of after-action reports (AARs) following a disaster or mass casualty event?

    Answer: Identifying lessons learned to improve future emergency response

    AARs are primarily designed to identify lessons learned—both strengths and areas for improvement—to enhance preparedness and response effectiveness in future events.

  6. A patient with severe radiation exposure (>6 Gy whole body) presents within 1 hour. Which early clinical sign indicates very high-dose exposure and poor prognosis?

    Answer: Vomiting within 10 minutes of exposure

    Vomiting within 10 minutes of radiation exposure is a marker of very high dose (>6 Gy) and carries a very poor prognosis, correlating with the cerebrovascular/CNS syndrome.

  7. During a hospital evacuation, patients on which unit should be moved LAST due to the complexity and risk of transport?

    Answer: Intensive care unit with ventilator-dependent patients

    ICU patients on ventilators are the most complex to evacuate safely; they require specialized transport equipment and personnel, making them the last group moved after safer patients are cleared.