Nursing Board Exam Review Questions in Emergency Part 6/20

1. The nurse is teaching a class on biological warfare. Which information should the nurse
include in the presentation?
a. Contaminated water is the only source of transmission of biological agents.
b. Vaccines are available and being prepared to counteract biological agents.
c. Biological weapons are less of a threat than chemical agents.
d. Biological weapons are easily obtained and result in significant mortality.

2. Which signs/symptoms would the nurse assess in the client who has been exposed to the
anthrax bacillus via the skin?
a. A scabby, clear fluid–filled vesicle.
b. Edema, pruritus, and a 2-mm ulcerated vesicle.
c. Irregular brownish-pink spots around the hairline.
d. Tiny purple spots flush with the surface of the skin.

3.  The client has expired secondary to smallpox. Which information about funeral arrangements
is most important for the nurse to provide to the client’s family?
a. The client must be cremated.
b. Suggest an open casket funeral.
c. Bury the client within 24 hours.
d. Notify the public health department.

4. A chemical exposure has just occurred at an airport. An off-duty nurse, knowledgeable about
biochemical agents, is giving directions to the travelers. Which direction should the nurse
provide to the travelers?
a. Hold their breath as much as possible.
b. Stand up to avoid heavy exposure.
c. Lie down to stay under the exposure.
d. Attempt to breathe through their clothing.

5. The nurse is caring for a client in the prodromal phase of radiation exposure. Which
signs/symptoms would the nurse assess in the client?
a. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
b. Sudden fever, chills, and enlarged lymph nodes.
c. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
d. Flaccid paralysis, diplopia, and dysphagia.

6. The off-duty nurse hears on the television of a bioterrorism act in the community.
Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Immediately report to the hospital emergency room.
b. Call the American Red Cross to find out where to go.
c. Pack a bag and prepare to stay at the hospital.
d. Follow the nurse’s hospital policy for responding.
7. Which situation would warrant the nurse obtaining information from a material safety data
sheet (MSDS)?
a. The custodian spilled a chemical solvent in the hallway.
b. A visitor slipped and fell on the floor that had just been mopped.
c. A bottle of antineoplastic agent broke on the client’s floor.
d. The nurse was stuck with a contaminated needle in the client’s room.

8. The triage nurse is working in the emergency department. Which client should be assessed
first?
a. The 10-year-old child whose dad thinks the child’s leg is broken.
b. The 45-year-old male who is diaphoretic and clutching his chest.
c. The 58-year-old female complaining of a headache and seeing spots.
d. The 25-year-old male who cut his hand with a hunting knife.

9. According to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) triage system, which situation
would be considered a level red (Priority 1)?
a. Injuries are extensive and chances of survival are unlikely.
b. Injuries are minor and treatment can be delayed hours to days.
c. Injuries are significant but can wait hours without threat to life or limb.
d. Injuries are life threatening but survivable with minimal interventions.

10. Which statement best describes the role of the medical-surgical nurse during a disaster?
a. The nurse may be assigned to ride in the ambulance.
b. The nurse may be assigned as a first assistant in the operating room.
c. The nurse may be assigned to crowd control.
d. The nurse may be assigned to the emergency department.
 Nursing Board Exam Review Questions in Emergency Part 6/20
(ANSWER KEY)

1. Answer: D
Rationale: Because of the variety of agents, the means of transmission, and lethality of the agents, biological weapons, including anthrax,
smallpox, and plague, is especially dangerous.

2. Answer: B
Rationale: Exposure to anthrax bacilli via the skin results in skin lesions, which cause edema with pruritus and the formation of macules or
papules that ulcerate, forming a 1-3 mm vesicle. Then a painless eschar develops, which falls off in one (1) to 2 weeks.

3. Answer: A
Rationale: Cremation is recommended because the virus can stay alive in the scabs of the body for 13 years.

4. Answer: B
Rationale: Standing up will avoid heavy exposure the chemical will sink toward the floor or ground.

5. Answer: C
Rationale: The prodromal phase (presenting symptoms) of radiation exposure occurs 48–72 hours after exposure and the signs/symptoms are
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and fatigue. Higher exposures of radiation signs/symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, and
excitability.

6. Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should follow the hospital’s policy. Many times nurses will stay at home until decisions are made as to where the employees
should report.

7. Answer: A
Rationale: The MSDS provides chemical information regarding specific agents, health information, and spill information for a variety of
chemicals. It is required for every chemical that is found in the hospital.

8. Answer: B
Rationale: The triage nurse should see this client first because these are symptoms of a myocar- dial infarction, which potentially life is
threatening.

9. Answer: D
Rationale: This is called the immediate category. Individuals in this group can progress rapidly to expectant if treatment is delayed.

10. Answer: D
Rationale: New settings and atypical roles for nurses may be required during disasters; medical-surgical nurses can provide first aid and be
required to work in unfamiliar settings.