April 23 109 Lecture Flashcards
Occurs when any substance interferes with normal body functions after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed.
Poisoning
Who are prone to poisoning?
Infants and toddlers
Why are infants and toddlers prone to poisoning?
Because they explore their environment through oral experimentation, because their sense of taste is not discriminating.
2 major types of poisoning
- Product that never meant to be ingested or inhaled
- Products that can be ingested in small quantities but can be harmful if ingested in large amounts
Example of poisonous products that are never meant to be ingested or inhaled.
✔ shampoo
✔ paint thinner
✔ pesticides
✔ houseplants (leaves)
✔ carbon monoxide
Example of Products that can be ingested in small quantities but can be harmful if ingested in large amounts
✔ drugs/ medicine
✔ medicinal herbs
✔ alcohol
✔ bacterial toxins (food poisoning for e.g. E, Coli)
✔ heavy metals (lead paint)
✔ venom (animal, insects)
Causative agent of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Staphylococcal enterotoxin produced by strains of staphylococcus aureus
Incubation period of staphylococcal Food poisoning
1 - 7 hours
Period of communicability of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Carriers may contaminate food as long as they harbor that organism
Mode of transmission of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Ingestion of contaminated food
Assessment for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
✔ severe vomiting and diarrhea
✔ abdominal cramping
✔ excessive salivation
✔ Nausea within 2-6 hours of eating
Therapeutic management for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
Intensive supportive therapy with fluid and electrolyte replacement
Effective drug against staphylococcus
cefotaxime
Prevention for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
proper refrigeration of food
A poisoning that occurs most commonly in children between the ages 2 and 3 years and in all socioeconomic groups
Poisoning as an unintentional injury
Poisoning as an unintentional injury commonly occurs in what age group?
Between the ages 2 and 3 years and in all socioeconomic groups
Common agents in poisoning as an unintentional injury
✔ soap
✔ cosmetics
✔ detergents or cleaners
✔ plants
What is the best method to deactivate a swallowed poison?
Administration of activated charcoal (orally or by way of an NG tube)
Drug most frequently involved in childhood poisoning today
Acetaminophen Poisoning
Acetaminophen when taken in large doses can cause?
Liver destruction
What will the child experience immediately after ingestion in acetaminophen poisoning?
✔ anorexia
✔ nausea
✔ vomiting
Diagnostic test for acetaminophen poisoning
✔ serum aspartate transaminase (AST/ SGOT) - enzyme made by liver cells
✔ serum alanine transaminase (ALT/ SGPT) - present in liver and heart cells
✔ liver enzymes
Therapeutic Management for acetaminophen poisoning
✔ Activated charcoal - given 1 to 4 hours after consuming
✔ Acetylcysteine -antidote
✔ Continue to observe for jaundice and tenderness over the liver
✔ Assess AST and ALT levels
Loading dose
140 mg/ kg
Maintaining dose
70 mg/kg, repeated q4, in total of 17 hours
Ingestion of a strong alkali, such as lye, which is often contained in toilet bowl cleaners or hair care products
Caustic Poisoning
Areas where caustic poisoning cause burns and tissue necrosis
✔ mouth
✔ esophagus
✔ stomach
5 assessments for caustic poisoning
✔ oral edema
✔ marked edema on mouth and lips
✔ drools saliva
✔ immediate pain in the mouth and throat
✔ inability to swallow
Analgesic used in caustic poisoning to achieve pain relief
morphine
Therapeutic Management for caustic poisoning
✔ assess the child for the degree of pain involved
✔ intubation may necessary to provide a patent airway
✔ assess vital signs closely, especially the respiratory rate
A poisoning where substances contained in products such as kerosene and furniture polish
Hydrocarbon Poisoning
Major effect in hydrocarbon poisoning
respiratory irritation
A poisoning where it is swallowed by small children because it is an ingredient in vitamin preparations, particularly pregnancy vitamins
Iron Poisoning
What can iron poisoning lead to?
signs and symptoms of gastric irritation
Assessment for iron poisoning
immediate effects of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Assessment for iron poisoning after 6 hours
necrosis of the tube lining of GI tract
Assessment for iron poisoning after 12 hours
✔ melena
✔ hematemesis
✔ lethargy and coma
✔ cyanosis
✔ vasomotor collapse
Therapeutic Management for iron poisoning
✔ stomach lavage
✔ administration of cathartic/laxative
✔ Maalox or Mylanta
✔ chelating agent such as IV or IM deferoxamine
✔ exchange transfusion
✔ upper GI x-ray series
✔ liver studies
✔ test any stool passed for occult blood
Other word for lead poisoning
Plumbism
A poisoning that interferes with blood cell function by blocking the incorporation of iron into the protoporphyrin compound that makes up the heme portion of hemoglobin in RBC
Lead Poisoning (Plumbism)