Interactive Ready for Review: Interactivities

Interactive Ready for Review for Chapter 37 - Response to Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

As a result of the increase in activity, it is possible that the EMT-I could witness a %%1%% event. You must be mentally and physically prepared for the possibility of a %%1%% event.

The use of weapons of mass destruction or mass casualty further complicates the management of the terrorist incident. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. The best form of protection from a WMD agent is to avoid contact with the agent.

Types of groups that tend to use terrorism include violent religious groups/doomsday cults, extremist political groups, technology terrorists, and single-issue groups.

A is any agent designed to bring about mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports). These can be nuclear, chemical, biological, and explosive weapons.

agents are man-made substances that can have devastating effects on living organisms. They can be produced in liquid, powder, or vapor form, depending on the desired route of exposure and dissemination technique. These agents consist of vesicants, respiratory, nerve, and metabolic agents.

agents are organisms that cause disease. They are generally found in nature and can be weaponized to maximize the number of people exposed to the germ. These types of agents include viruses, bacteria, and toxins.

Nuclear or radiological weapons can create a massive amount of destruction. This type of weapon includes radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), also known as .

Be aware of the current threat level issued by the federal government through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This threat level can be severe, high, elevated, guarded, or low.

On the basis of the current threat level, take appropriate actions and precautions. Be aware of established policies that your organization may have regarding the current threat level.

Indicators that may give you clues as to whether the emergency is the result of a WMD attack include the type of location, type of call, number of patients, victims' statements, and preincident indicators.

If you suspect that a terrorist or WMD event has occurred, make sure that the scene is safe. If you have any doubt that it may not be safe, do not enter. Wait for assistance.

Notification of the dispatcher is essential. Inform dispatch of the nature of the event, any additional resources that may be required, the estimated number of patients, and the upwind route of approach or optimal route of approach.

Establish a staging area, where other units will converge. Be mindful of access and exit routes.

The first arriving provider on the scene must begin to sort out the chaos and define his or her responsibilities under the Incident Command System (ICS).

If the ICS is already in place, the EMT-I should immediately seek out the to receive his or her assignment.

Terrorists may set to explode after the initial bomb, to injure responders and secure media coverage. Constantly assess and reassess the scene for safety.

Persistent or nonvolatile agents can remain on a surface for long periods of time. A highly persistent agent can remain in the environment for weeks to months.

Nonpersistent or volatile agents evaporate relatively fast when left on a surface in the optimal temperature range. A highly volatile agent will turn from liquid to gas (evaporate) within minutes to seconds.

Route of exposure is how the agent most effectively enters the body.

A is an agent that enters through the skin and causes burn-like blisters on the victim's skin, as well as in the respiratory tract.

Vesicant agent treatment includes decontamination first, then the ABCs.

Place the patient who has been exposed to a vesicant agent on the cardiac monitor, consider early intubation if needed, and consider analgesics for pain according to local protocols.

agents are gases that cause immediate harm by damaging the lung tissue.

Pulmonary agent treatment is to remove the patient from the contaminated atmosphere. This should be done by trained personnel in the proper PPE. Then begin aggressive management of the ABCs and gain IV access. Do not allow the patient to be active.

Place the patient who has been exposed to a pulmonary agent on a cardiac monitor and consider early intubation if needed to maintain the airway.

agents are among the most deadly chemicals developed and can cause cardiac arrest within seconds to minutes of exposure.

Securing the ABCs is the best and most important treatment that the EMT-I can render for patients exposed to nerve agents. Patients who will not stop seizing will require administration of nerve agent antidote kits in addition to support of the ABCs.

Metabolic agents, or , affect the body's ability to utilize oxygen and are commonly found in many industrial settings.

Before treatment begins, the patient exposed to a metabolic agent must be removed from the source of exposure by trained personnel in the proper PPE, all of the patient's clothes must be removed, and the patient must be decontaminated. Then support the patient's ABCs and gain IV access.

Place the patient who has been exposed to a metabolic agent on the cardiac monitor and consider early intubation to maintain the airway.

Biological agents include viruses such as smallpox and viral hemorrhagic fevers; bacteria such as anthrax and plague; and neurotoxins such as botulinum toxin and ricin.

EMTs and paramedics may be called upon to assist in the delivery of medications to the public. The EMT-I's role may include triage, treatment of seriously ill patients, and patient transport to the hospital.

is energy that can enter the human body and cause damage.

Treatment for radiation exposure should begin with making sure that the patient is not contaminated. If the patient is contaminated, he or she must be initially cared for by a HazMat responder.

There are no suits or protective gear designed to completely shield from radiation. Protect yourself by leaving an area where a radiation source is present, staying as far away as possible, and using concrete shielding when possible.