Disaster Management — MCQs

Disaster Management Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 41: Natural disasters are all except?

A. Floods
B. Tornado
C. Lightning strike
D. Accidental radioactive gas leak from factory (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Accidental radioactive gas leak from factory*** - This is primarily an **industrial accident** or a **technological disaster**, not a natural disaster. - While it can cause widespread harm, its origin is **human-made**, not from natural earth processes. *Floods* - **Floods** are considered natural disasters as they are caused by natural phenomena like heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, or storm surges. - They result in significant environmental and infrastructural damage. *Tornado* - **Tornadoes** are natural disasters characterized by rapidly rotating columns of air that form from thunderstorms. - They cause immense destruction through extreme winds and are entirely a weather phenomenon. *Lightning strike* - A **lightning strike** is a natural electrical discharge during a thunderstorm. - While a single strike can cause localized damage or injury, it is a component of a larger natural weather event (thunderstorm) and is considered a natural occurrence.

Question 42: Triage is done for -

A. Categorisation of the patients and treating them according to the available resource (Correct Answer)
B. Treating mentally ill patients
C. Treating the most serious cases
D. Giving emergency services to all patients

Explanation: ***Categorisation of the patients and treating them according to the available resource*** - **Triage** is a process of **prioritizing** patients based on the severity of their condition and the likelihood of benefiting from treatment. - This categorization helps in allocating limited resources effectively during mass casualty incidents or in busy emergency departments. *Treating mentally ill patients* - While mentally ill patients may require triage in an emergency setting, this option incorrectly limits the scope of triage to a specific patient group. - Triage applies to all patients requiring medical attention, regardless of their mental health status. *Treating the most serious cases* - Triage is not solely about treating the most serious cases; it also considers those with a high chance of survival who would benefit most from immediate intervention. - In a mass casualty event, some severely injured patients may be triaged to expectant care if resources are limited and survival is unlikely. *Giving emergency services to all patients* - Triage is fundamentally about **prioritization**, which implies that not all patients can receive immediate emergency services simultaneously, especially when resources are scarce. - Its purpose is to efficiently distribute care, not to ensure identical service for everyone at once.

Question 43: During the post-disaster period, the most commonly reported disease is:

A. Acute respiratory infections
B. Gastroenteritis (Correct Answer)
C. Tetanus
D. Urinary tract infection

Explanation: ***Gastroenteritis*** - Disasters often lead to **disruption of water supply and sanitation systems**, increasing the risk of **contaminated food and water**. - This contamination directly contributes to the spread of **enteric pathogens**, resulting in a surge of gastroenteritis cases. *Acute respiratory infections* - While common in crowded conditions and displaced populations, acute respiratory infections are usually associated with **poor ventilation** and close contact, not primary water and sanitation breakdown. - They tend to increase due to **stress** and **overcrowding** in shelters, but typically after the immediate threat of waterborne diseases. *Tetanus* - Tetanus is associated with **puncture wounds** contaminated with *Clostridium tetani* spores from soil or feces. - While increased injuries might occur during a disaster, **widespread environmental contamination** leading to a high incidence of tetanus is less common than waterborne diseases. *Urinary tract infection* - Urinary tract infections are primarily caused by **bacterial ascension** into the bladder and are less directly linked to large-scale environmental changes post-disaster. - Their incidence may increase due to **poor hygiene** or lack of access to proper sanitation facilities but is not typically the most reported widespread disease.

Question 44: Black colour in triage is for -

A. Low priority patients
B. Ambulatory patients
C. Dead patients (Correct Answer)
D. High priority patients

Explanation: ***Dead patients*** - In a mass casualty incident (MCI) triage system, the **black tag** is assigned to patients who are deceased or have injuries so severe that survival is unlikely, often without available resources. - These individuals are identified as beyond medical help in the immediate emergent phase, allowing resources to be focused on patients with a higher chance of survival. *Low priority patients* - **Green tag** is typically assigned to patients who have minor injuries and can wait for treatment; they are considered "walking wounded." - This color indicates that their condition is stable and does not require immediate intervention. *Ambulatory patients* - Ambulatory patients, often referred to as the **"walking wounded,"** are categorized with a **green tag** in mass casualty triage. - They are individuals who can move on their own and have minor injuries that do not pose an immediate threat to life or limb. *High priority patients* - **Red tag** is used for patients with critical, life-threatening injuries who require immediate intervention to survive, such as those with severe bleeding or airway compromise. - This color signifies the highest priority for medical treatment due to the severity of their condition.

Question 45: Red Cross Society was founded by

A. Henry Dunant (Correct Answer)
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Rockefeller
D. Clara Barton

Explanation: ***Henry Dunant*** - **Henry Dunant** was a Swiss businessman and humanitarian who witnessed the aftermath of the **Battle of Solferino** in 1859. - His efforts led to the establishment of the **International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)** in 1863 and the first **Geneva Convention** in 1864. - He was awarded the first **Nobel Peace Prize** in 1901 for his humanitarian work. *Florence Nightingale* - **Florence Nightingale** was a pioneering British nurse and social reformer, known as the founder of **modern nursing**. - She gained prominence during the **Crimean War** (1853-1856) for improving sanitary conditions in military hospitals. - While a contemporary of Dunant and a humanitarian, she did not found the Red Cross Society. *Rockefeller* - The **Rockefeller family** is a prominent American industrial, political, and banking family known for extensive philanthropy. - The **Rockefeller Foundation** (established 1913) has supported public health and medical research globally. - However, they were not involved in the founding of the Red Cross. *Clara Barton* - **Clara Barton** was an American nurse and humanitarian who founded the **American Red Cross** in 1881. - She was inspired by the **International Red Cross** and brought the movement to the United States. - However, she did not found the original **International Committee of the Red Cross** - that was Henry Dunant.

Question 46: Targeted critical agents used in a bioterrorist event are except?

A. Ricinus communis
B. Small pox
C. Coxiella burnetii (Correct Answer)
D. Viral hemorrhagic fevers -Junin virus

Explanation: ***Coxiella burnetii*** - This is the **correct answer** as it is classified as a **Category B biological agent**, not a Category A critical agent. - While *C. burnetii* causes **Q fever** and has high infectivity with potential for widespread illness, it typically has **lower mortality rates** compared to Category A agents. - Category B agents are second-priority because they are moderately easy to disseminate but cause lower mortality than Category A agents. *Ricinus communis* - This refers to **ricin toxin** derived from castor beans, classified as a **Category B agent**. - However, ricin is considered more dangerous than Q fever due to its potent toxicity and lack of antidote. - Can cause severe multi-organ damage upon inhalation or ingestion, though less lethal than Category A agents. *Smallpox* - Caused by **variola virus**, classified as a **Category A critical agent**. - High infectivity, severe illness, high mortality rate, and lack of natural immunity in most populations. - Historical use as a bioweapon and potential for rapid global spread make it a top-tier threat. *Viral hemorrhagic fevers - Junin virus* - **Category A critical agent** due to high infectivity, severe disease presentation, and high mortality rates. - Includes agents like Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Junin viruses that cause severe multi-system disease. - Person-to-person transmission potential and lack of effective treatments make these priority threats.

Question 47: Which of the following is a Category A bioterrorism agent?

A. Brucella
B. Q fever
C. Typhus fever
D. Anthrax (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Anthrax*** - **Anthrax**, caused by *Bacillus anthracis*, is classified as a **Category A** bioterrorism agent due to its high mortality rate, ease of dissemination, and potential for major public health impact. - It can manifest as cutaneous, inhalational, gastrointestinal, or injectional forms, with **inhalational anthrax** being the most lethal. *Brucella* - **Brucella** species cause brucellosis, which is classified as a **Category B** bioterrorism agent. - While it can be debilitating, it generally has a lower mortality rate and less public health impact than Category A agents. *Q fever* - **Q fever**, caused by *Coxiella burnetii*, is another **Category B** bioterrorism agent. - It causes a flu-like illness and can have chronic complications but is not as severe or easily disseminated as Category A agents. *Typhus fever* - **Typhus fever**, caused by *Rickettsia prowazekii* (epidemic typhus) or *Rickettsia typhi* (murine typhus), is a **Category B** bioterrorism agent. - It can cause severe illness but is not among the highest-priority agents like anthrax, smallpox, or botulism.

Question 48: Which vaccine is recommended in disasters -

A. Cholera (Correct Answer)
B. Typhoid
C. Diphtheria
D. BCG

Explanation: ***Cholera*** - **Cholera** outbreaks are a significant risk in disaster settings due to contaminated water sources and inadequate sanitation. - The **oral Cholera vaccine** can be rapidly deployed to prevent large-scale epidemics in vulnerable populations following disasters. *Typhoid* - While **typhoid** can be a concern in disaster areas, it is generally considered a lower priority for mass vaccination compared to cholera. - Vaccination efforts for **typhoid** are often more targeted towards specific high-risk groups rather than widespread disaster response. *Diphtheria* - **Diphtheria** vaccination is part of routine childhood immunization programs and is not typically a primary vaccine for immediate disaster response. - The risk of a widespread **diphtheria** outbreak due to a disaster is generally lower than that of waterborne diseases. *BCG* - The **BCG vaccine** protects against **tuberculosis** and is administered as part of routine infant immunization programs. - It is not indicated for emergency mass vaccination during disaster situations as **tuberculosis** transmission is not acutely elevated in these contexts.

Question 49: Black color code is used in four color code systems of triage management in disaster for:

A. Dead or moribund patients (Correct Answer)
B. High priority patients
C. Ambulatory patients
D. Low priority patients

Explanation: ***Dead or moribund patients*** - The **black color code** in triage signifies patients who are either deceased or have injuries so severe that survival is unlikely, even with immediate intervention. - These patients are typically assigned **comfort care** as resources are prioritized for those with a higher chance of survival. *High priority patients* - **High priority patients**, who require immediate medical attention to survive, are typically designated with a **red color code**. - These individuals have life-threatening injuries but still have a good prognosis if treated promptly. *Ambulatory patients* - **Ambulatory patients** who have minor injuries and can walk are usually assigned a **green color code**. - They are considered "walking wounded" and can often wait for treatment until more critical patients are stabilized. *Low priority patients* - **Low priority patients** or those with significant injuries but whose conditions are stable and not immediately life-threatening are typically designated with a **yellow color code**. - They require medical attention but can safely wait for a few hours without significant risk of deterioration.

Question 50: Which of the following is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent?

A. Clostridium perfringens
B. NIPAH virus
C. Bacillus anthracis (Correct Answer)
D. Coxiella burnetii

Explanation: ***Bacillus anthracis*** - **Anthrax**, caused by *Bacillus anthracis*, is a prime example of a Category A bioterrorism agent due to its high mortality, ease of dissemination, and potential for major public health impact. - Category A agents pose the **greatest threat** to public health and national security. *Clostridium perfringens* - *Clostridium perfringens* is classified as a **Category B bioterrorism agent**. - While it causes **gas gangrene** and food poisoning with moderate severity, it lacks the **high transmissibility** and widespread impact characteristic of Category A agents. *NIPAH virus* - **Nipah virus** is classified as a Category C priority pathogen. - It has the potential for high morbidity and mortality, but its **epidemiological characteristics** (e.g., lower transmissibility than Category A agents) preclude its inclusion in Category A. *Coxiella burnetii* - *Coxiella burnetii*, the causative agent of **Q fever**, is classified as a Category B bioterrorism agent. - Category B agents are moderately easy to disseminate and can cause **moderate morbidity** and low mortality, which is less severe than Category A agents.

Practice by Chapter

Classification of Disasters

Practice Questions

Disaster Cycle and Management

Practice Questions

Disaster Preparedness

Practice Questions

Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis

Practice Questions

Early Warning Systems

Practice Questions

Disaster Response

Practice Questions

Triage in Mass Casualties

Practice Questions

Emergency Medical Services

Practice Questions

Psychosocial Support in Disasters

Practice Questions

Post-Disaster Rehabilitation

Practice Questions

Disaster Documentation and Reporting

Practice Questions

Disaster Drills and Training

Practice Questions

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