West Coast EMT Block One Exam

If multiple individuals are experiencing symptoms like abdominal cramps and muscle twitching after a crop duster event, what is the most appropriate treatment?

1. Activated charcoal and glucose.

2. Amyl nitrate and naloxone.

3. Epinephrine and hyperbaric oxygen.

4. Atropine and pralidoxime chloride.

The correct answer is: Atropine and pralidoxime chloride.

In the context of individuals experiencing abdominal cramps and muscle twitching after a crop duster event, the symptoms suggest potential exposure to a chemical or nerve agent, such as organophosphates or carbamates, which are often used in pesticides. The correct treatment involves administering atropine and pralidoxime chloride. Atropine is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. This helps alleviate symptoms such as abdominal cramps and muscle twitching, which are associated with overstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Pralidoxime chloride acts to reactivate acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, thus reversing the excessive accumulation of acetylcholine that occurs in cases of poisoning by specific chemistries. Together, these medications address the underlying pathophysiology associated with chemical exposures from pesticides. The other options do not directly address the likely causes of the symptoms in this scenario. Activated charcoal and glucose are more relevant for certain types of overdose but do not help with the symptoms presented here. Amyl nitrite and naloxone do not match the treatment needs for symptoms related to nerve agent exposure, and epinephrine and hyperbaric oxygen