skip to main content

Scene safety (1-2-3 of safety) — DIPIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardScene Safety and MedicolegalScene safety (1-2-3 of safety)DIPIMCDipIMC

Several people self-present at an emergency-department entrance after a pesticide spill. Their clothing is wet, they have a chemical odour and one is coughing. No decontamination area has been established. What should the receiving clinician do first?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Activate the hazardous-materials plan and use designated PPE before contact

The best answer is “Activate the hazardous-materials plan and use designated PPE before contact”. Uncontrolled contamination can harm staff, other patients and the emergency department’s ability to function. The clinician should activate the hazardous-materials response, establish appropriate personal protective equipment and decontamination arrangements, and avoid direct contact until this is safe. Clinical triage and treatment continue within that controlled system; moving contaminated patients into resus or relying on ordinary gloves risks secondary exposure and service-wide disruption.

Reference: NHS England, management of hazardous-material self-presenters: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/the-management-of-self-presenters-from-incidents-involving-hazardous-materials-or-chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear-cbrn-substances/