Which of the following is NOT a type of blister agent?

Prepare for the Military Requirements for Chief Petty Officer Exam. Test your knowledge with multiple choice questions that offer explanations and hints. Achieve success in your examination!

To understand why Tabun (GA) is the correct answer to the question regarding which substance is not classified as a blister agent, it's essential to recognize the distinctions among these agents.

Blister agents, also known as vesicants, are chemicals that cause severe skin and tissue blisters upon contact or through vapor exposure. Distilled Mustard (HD), Phosgene Oxime (CX), and Lewisite (L) all share this characteristic. Distilled Mustard is infamous for its devastating effects on human tissue, causing painful blisters and damage to the respiratory system. Phosgene Oxime is a potent blistering agent that can cause immediate skin irritations and blisters. Lewisite, another blister agent, is a chemical warfare agent that causes similar blistering effects along with severe pain upon exposure.

In contrast, Tabun (GA) is classified as a nerve agent, which functions primarily by disrupting the normal function of the nervous system rather than causing skin blistering. Nerve agents like Tabun work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve endings, resulting in muscle paralysis and other neurological symptoms.

This fundamental difference in how these agents affect the body is why Tabun is not considered

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