Terrorists have detonated a "dirty bomb" in a shopping center. Nurses are called to the site to assist with triage of victims. Besides treating injuries incurred from the blast itself, the priorities for treatment for most of the victims will include:
a. administering potassium iodide as soon as possible.
b. giving Prussian blue and monitoring electrolytes.
c. monitoring urine and stool samples for radioactivity.
d. removing clothing and bathing victims.
ANS: D
The primary danger from a dirty bomb is the blast itself, and not the radiation, since dispersal of the radiation is limited to a relatively small area. Persons exposed should remove clothing as soon as possible and then decontaminate the skin by showering or bathing. Since dirty bombs do not release iodine-131, taking potassium iodide is of no benefit. Prussian blue is used to hasten excretion of radioactive cesium and radioactive and non-radioactive thallium. Patients treated with Prussian blue should have close monitoring of stools and urine.
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