An Emergency Department Nurse Should Suspect a Possible Bioterrorist Agent

question 8

Multiple Choice

An emergency department nurse should suspect a possible bioterrorist agent if,during the Fourth of July weekend,the nurse notices which of the following?

• A)Three patients arrive complaining of abrupt onset of severe myalgia,fever,sore throat,and headache.
• B)Four patients,all from the same family picnic,arrive complaining of abdominal pain and nausea,vomiting,and diarrhea.
• C)Two patients arrive from the local lake complaining of tiredness,weakness,dizziness,muscle cramps,and headache.
• D)Two patients arrive from a local concert with superficial burns on the faces,necks,arms,and legs and complaining of pain in these areas.They are tachycardic and appear dehydrated.

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Definitions:

DNA Transcribes

The process by which DNA is used as a template to produce messenger RNA (mRNA), initiating protein synthesis.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells, playing a role in protein synthesis and the transmission of genetic information.

Polypeptide

An organic linear polymer comprised of numerous amino-acid residues linked in a sequence, which constitutes a portion of or an entire protein molecule.

MRNA

Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.