Environmental Emergencies Questions 2022
A dysbarism injury refers to the signs and symptoms related to changes in:
a) decompression.
b) rapid ascent.
c) rapid descent.
d) barometric pressure. Correct Answer: D
Which of the following MOST accurately describes hyperthermia?
a) The body is exposed to more heat than it can lose.
b) The body eliminates more heat than it can generate.
c) Heat evaporates a significant amount of body water.
d) The core body temperature exceeds 99.5°F (37°C). Correct Answer: A
Breath-holding syncope is caused by a decreased stimulus to breathe and occurs when:
a) a swimmer breathes shallowly before entering the water.
b) a diver holds his or her breath during a staged ascent.
c) a diver holds his or her breath for a long period of time.
d) a swimmer hyperventilates prior to entering the water. Correct Answer: D
When a warm hand is immersed in water that is 70°F (21°C), heat is transferred from the hand to the
water through a process called:
a) radiation.
b) conduction.
c) convection.
d) evaporation. Correct Answer: B
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:
a) possible spinal injury.
b) an air embolism.
c) alcohol intoxication.
d) cold water immersion. Correct Answer: A
Heat loss from the body through respiration occurs when:
a) air temperature is greater than body temperature.
b) cool air is inhaled and displaces warm air.
c) the core body temperature is greater than 98°F (37°C).
d) warm air is exhaled into the atmosphere. Correct Answer: D
When the body loses sweat, it also loses:
a) electrolytes.
b) nutrients.
c) erythrocytes.
d) plasma. Correct Answer: A
Which of the following would be the LEAST likely to occur in a patient with a core body temperature of
between 89°F (32°C) and 92°F (33°C)?
, a) bradypnea
b) stiff muscles
c) confusion
d) tachycardia Correct Answer: D
High air temperature reduces the body's ability to lose heat by:
a) convection.
b) conduction.
c) evaporation.
d) radiation. Correct Answer: D
Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:
a) have relatively smaller heads.
b) exhibit poor thermoregulation.
c) have smaller body surface areas.
d) have less body fat. Correct Answer: B
You respond to a local lake where a diver complains of difficulty breathing that occurred immediately
after rapidly ascending from a depth of approximately 30 ′. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis
around his lips and has pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should:
a) position him supine with his head elevated 30°, suction his mouth and nose, hyperventilate him with a
bag-mask device, and contact medical control for further guidance.
b) suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, position him on his left side with his head down,
and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility.
c) place him in a semi-sitting position, suction his mouth and nose, apply a continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) device, and transport to the closest emergency department.
d) suction his mouth and nose, keep him supine and elevate his legs to prevent air bubbles from
entering his brain, administer high-flow oxygen, and transport to a hyperbaric chamber. Correct Answer:
B
The venom of a black widow spider is toxic to the:
a) respiratory system.
b) cardiovascular system.
c) nervous system.
d) renal system. Correct Answer: C
A person's ability to shiver is lost when his or her body temperature falls below:
a) 92°F (33°C).
b) 94°F (34°C).
c) 95°F (35°C).
d) 90°F (32°C). Correct Answer: D
A 20-year-old male was pulled from cold water by his friends. The length of his submersion is not known
and was not witnessed. You perform a primary assessment and determine that the patient is apneic and
has a slow, weak pulse. You should:
a) suction his airway for 30 seconds, provide rescue breathing, keep him warm, and transport at once.
b) provide rescue breathing, remove wet clothing, immobilize his spine, keep him warm, and transport
carefully.
A dysbarism injury refers to the signs and symptoms related to changes in:
a) decompression.
b) rapid ascent.
c) rapid descent.
d) barometric pressure. Correct Answer: D
Which of the following MOST accurately describes hyperthermia?
a) The body is exposed to more heat than it can lose.
b) The body eliminates more heat than it can generate.
c) Heat evaporates a significant amount of body water.
d) The core body temperature exceeds 99.5°F (37°C). Correct Answer: A
Breath-holding syncope is caused by a decreased stimulus to breathe and occurs when:
a) a swimmer breathes shallowly before entering the water.
b) a diver holds his or her breath during a staged ascent.
c) a diver holds his or her breath for a long period of time.
d) a swimmer hyperventilates prior to entering the water. Correct Answer: D
When a warm hand is immersed in water that is 70°F (21°C), heat is transferred from the hand to the
water through a process called:
a) radiation.
b) conduction.
c) convection.
d) evaporation. Correct Answer: B
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:
a) possible spinal injury.
b) an air embolism.
c) alcohol intoxication.
d) cold water immersion. Correct Answer: A
Heat loss from the body through respiration occurs when:
a) air temperature is greater than body temperature.
b) cool air is inhaled and displaces warm air.
c) the core body temperature is greater than 98°F (37°C).
d) warm air is exhaled into the atmosphere. Correct Answer: D
When the body loses sweat, it also loses:
a) electrolytes.
b) nutrients.
c) erythrocytes.
d) plasma. Correct Answer: A
Which of the following would be the LEAST likely to occur in a patient with a core body temperature of
between 89°F (32°C) and 92°F (33°C)?
, a) bradypnea
b) stiff muscles
c) confusion
d) tachycardia Correct Answer: D
High air temperature reduces the body's ability to lose heat by:
a) convection.
b) conduction.
c) evaporation.
d) radiation. Correct Answer: D
Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:
a) have relatively smaller heads.
b) exhibit poor thermoregulation.
c) have smaller body surface areas.
d) have less body fat. Correct Answer: B
You respond to a local lake where a diver complains of difficulty breathing that occurred immediately
after rapidly ascending from a depth of approximately 30 ′. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis
around his lips and has pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should:
a) position him supine with his head elevated 30°, suction his mouth and nose, hyperventilate him with a
bag-mask device, and contact medical control for further guidance.
b) suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, position him on his left side with his head down,
and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility.
c) place him in a semi-sitting position, suction his mouth and nose, apply a continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) device, and transport to the closest emergency department.
d) suction his mouth and nose, keep him supine and elevate his legs to prevent air bubbles from
entering his brain, administer high-flow oxygen, and transport to a hyperbaric chamber. Correct Answer:
B
The venom of a black widow spider is toxic to the:
a) respiratory system.
b) cardiovascular system.
c) nervous system.
d) renal system. Correct Answer: C
A person's ability to shiver is lost when his or her body temperature falls below:
a) 92°F (33°C).
b) 94°F (34°C).
c) 95°F (35°C).
d) 90°F (32°C). Correct Answer: D
A 20-year-old male was pulled from cold water by his friends. The length of his submersion is not known
and was not witnessed. You perform a primary assessment and determine that the patient is apneic and
has a slow, weak pulse. You should:
a) suction his airway for 30 seconds, provide rescue breathing, keep him warm, and transport at once.
b) provide rescue breathing, remove wet clothing, immobilize his spine, keep him warm, and transport
carefully.
