An individual is brought to the emergency department (ED) by some concerned friends, who say they think she had a stroke
Upon assessment, she complains of blurred vision, has drooping eyelids, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. The nurse suspects that she has _____________ and anticipates _____________.
a. botulism poisoning; symmetric descending flaccid paralysis
b. tularemia; tender, enlarged, and inflamed lymph nodes
c. botulism poisoning; symmetric ascending flaccid paralysis
d. been exposed to ricin; lesions on the body
ANS: A
The clinical manifestations are consistent with botulism poisoning, which will be further characterized by symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis.
The signs and symptoms are not consistent with tularemia, which is manifested by acute, flulike symptoms.
The clinical manifestations are consistent with botulism poisoning; however, the paralysis is descending, not ascending.
Manifestations of ricin exposure vary, depending on the route of exposure, but they are not consistent with botulism symptoms.
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