Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What symptoms would suggest a patient is suffering from organophosphate poisoning?

1. Chest pain and shortness of breath

2. Excessive drooling and abdominal pain

3. Nausea and headaches

4. Dizziness and fainting

The correct answer is: Excessive drooling and abdominal pain

Symptoms of organophosphate poisoning are primarily related to the overstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system due to the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which leads to an accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve synapses. Excessive drooling is a hallmark sign because the increased stimulation leads to hypersecretion of saliva. Abdominal pain can occur due to increased gastrointestinal activity or spasms, which are also common with organophosphate exposure. In contrast, the other symptoms mentioned in the other options—such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fainting—are more general and can be associated with a wide range of conditions. These symptoms do not specifically indicate organophosphate poisoning, which presents its own unique set of signs that directly stem from the effects of acetylcholine buildup. Thus, excessive drooling and abdominal pain distinctly point towards organophosphate poisoning, making them the key symptoms to identify this type of toxicity.