Paramedics Exam Toxicology and Poisoning 2

Question 1

Which presentation best describes the sympathomimetic toxidrome?

Accepted Answer

Tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, and mydriasis

Answer

Cocaine, amphetamines, and similar drugs cause excess adrenergic stimulation, producing tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, and pupil dilation.

Question 2

The SLUDGE mnemonic (Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, GI distress, Emesis) describes which toxidrome?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic toxidrome

Answer

SLUDGE describes excess acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, seen with organophosphate pesticides, nerve agents, and certain mushroom species.

Question 3

A patient overdosed on metoprolol and presents with symptomatic bradycardia and hypotension. Which treatment combination is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Atropine and high-dose glucagon IV

Answer

Atropine treats vagally mediated bradycardia and glucagon bypasses beta-receptor blockade to directly stimulate adenylate cyclase and increase cardiac output.

Question 4

A chronic alcohol user presents with confusion, ataxia, and horizontal nystagmus with a blood glucose of 38 mg/dL. What must be administered BEFORE dextrose?

Accepted Answer

Thiamine 100 mg IV/IM

Answer

Giving glucose before thiamine to a thiamine-deficient alcoholic patient can precipitate Wernicke's encephalopathy by consuming the last remaining thiamine stores.

Question 5

Which finding best distinguishes methanol poisoning from ethanol intoxication?

Accepted Answer

Visual disturbances and high anion gap metabolic acidosis

Answer

Methanol is metabolized to formic acid, causing high anion gap metabolic acidosis and optic nerve toxicity with visual changes not seen with ethanol.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Toxicology and Poisoning 2