Aspirin overdose

Question 1

define aspirin overdose?

Answer 1

excessive ingestion of aspirin causing toxicity

Also known as salicylate overdose

Question 2

what is the main features of aspirin overdose?

Answer 2

1. respiratory alkalosis and 2. metabolic acidosis

Question 3

unique feature of aspirin overdose?

Answer 3

o Tinnitus

Question 4

what blood should be done?

Answer 4

o	Salicylate levels  
o	FBC  
o	U&Es - check for hypokalaemia  
o	LFTs - high AST/ALT 
o	Clotting screen - high PT  
o	Other drug levels (e.g. paracetamol)

Question 5

what might ABG show?

Answer 5

signs of mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis