AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms is typically NOT associated with nerve agent toxicity?

1. Shivering

2. Lacrimation

3. Defecation

4. Weight gain

The correct answer is: Weight gain

Nerve agent toxicity is characterized by a range of symptoms stemming from the disruption of normal nervous system function. The substances involved typically inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine in the synapses, which produces an overactivation of cholinergic pathways. Symptoms such as shivering, lacrimation (excessive tear production), and defecation are commonly observed in instances of nerve agent exposure. Shivering can occur due to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, which may also lead to increased secretions including lacrimation as the body’s response to overstimulated glands. Defecation can happen because of increased gastrointestinal motility, aggravated by the overactivity of cholinergic neurons. In contrast, weight gain is not a typical symptom associated with nerve agent toxicity. This is primarily because nerve agents induce physiological responses that lead to increased metabolic activity and potentially weight loss rather than weight gain due to their effects on the nervous system and muscle function. Thus, weight gain is irrelevant in the context of acute nerve agent exposure.