ANSWERS DOR A GUARANTEED PASS
What is Bioterrorism?
Use of biological agents (viruses, bacteria) to harm or kill civilians.
What is Anthrax and how is it transmitted?
Bacterial infection (Bacillus anthracis)
• Spread via air, skin contact, or ingestion
• Incubation:
• Inhalation: 1-43 days
• Cutaneous: 5-7 days
• GI: 1-6 days
Anthrax Symptoms and Treatment
• S/S: Hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, painless eschar
• Treatment: Penicillin, doxycycline
• Use standard precautions
What are nerve agents?
• A type of bioterrorism affecting respiratory, cardiac, and nervous systems
• High death rate, quick action
,Treatment for Nerve Agent Exposure
• Decontaminate (soap + water shower)
• Meds: Gabapentin, Neurontin, Diazepam (Valium)
Signs & Symptoms of Nerve Agent Poisoning
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Behavioral changes
• Visual disturbances
Antidote/Med for Nerve Agent Exposure
Atropine - anticholinergic used to treat nerve agent poisoning.
Swelling of the brain tissue due to fluid accumulation
cerebral edema
Pressure inside the skull that can increase due to brain injury, hemorrhage, or swelling.
Intracranial pressure
What should you know about meningitis in relation to ICP
- Drain placement is used to reduce ICP
,- Viral infection is the most common
- Bacterial is seen in post-surgical procedures
ICP range
5-15
Treatment for Increased ICP
mannitol
Why is an osmotic diuretic preferred over a loop diuretic when treating patients with ICP
Osmotic diuretics reduce cerebral edema by drawing fluid out of brain tissue.
Loop diuretics may be used adjunctively but do not act directly on cerebral edema.
What does mannitol due to ICP
Pulls fluid off the brain and moves it intravascularly and then filtered out via the kidneys
ICP patient monitoring
Head elevation above 35 degrees
Patients are a fall hazard
Ensure minimal stimulation:
, Low noise
Low light
Limited visitors
Avoid cluster care
How often should neurologic checks be done
depend on patients' condition
When monitoring I/O for an ICP patient what are you looking for?
Fluid retention
Daily weight
GCS less than 8 indicates
Intubation
S/S of increased ICP
- headache
- nausea / vomiting
- altered LOC (confused/drowsy) note any cognition changes like agitation
- pupil changes (fixed/dilated)