Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standardized Awareness Practice Test

What type of chemical warfare agent is characterized by its effects on the lungs?

1. Blister agent

2. Choking agent

3. Nerve agent

4. Blood agent

The correct answer is: Choking agent

Choking agents are a category of chemical warfare agents that primarily target the respiratory system, causing severe damage to the lungs. This class of agents includes substances such as chlorine and phosgene, which, when inhaled, lead to symptoms such as coughing, choking, and the potential for pulmonary edema. The mechanism of choking agents involves irritation of the respiratory tract and the disruption of gas exchange in the lungs, which can result in suffocation if exposure is intense or prolonged. In contrast, blister agents cause severe skin and mucosal blistering and are not specifically lung-targeting agents. Nerve agents interfere with the nervous system, affecting muscle control and autonomic functions rather than primarily impacting the lungs. Blood agents disrupt the body's ability to use oxygen at the cellular level and can affect the entire system but do not specifically target the respiratory system like choking agents do. Thus, choking agents uniquely represent the effects on the lungs, making them the correct identification in this context.