Chapter 22 Flashcards
poison
any substance—liquid, solid, or gas—that impairs health or causes death by its chemical action when it enters the body or contacts the skin.
toxicology
the study of toxins, antidotes, and the effects of toxins on the body
4 routes poisons enter the body
ingestion
injection
inhalation
absorption
ingested poison
one that is swallowed and enters the gastrointestinal system
common ingested poisons
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter medications
Illegal drugs (illicit)
Household products
Cleaning agents (soaps, detergents, alkalis)
Foods
Insecticides
Petroleum products
Plants
common causes of accidental ingestion
Taking too much of a medication because of not understanding the directions, particularly in elderly patients
Combining alcohol with drugs
Storing poisons in food or drink containers
Keeping poisonous substances within the reach of children
hydrogen sulfide odor
rotten eggs
naphthalene/camphor odor
moth balls
cyanide odor
bitter almonds
acetone odor
fruity/sweet
organophosphates odor
garlic
petroleum distillates odor
gasoline
chloral hydrates odor
pears
methsalicylate odor
mint
phosgene odor
fresh mowed hay
inhaled poison
poisonous vapor or fume that is breathed in
common inhaled poisons
Carbon monoxide
Carbon dioxide from industrial sites, sewers, and wells
Chlorine gas (common around swimming pools)
Fumes from liquid chemicals and sprays
Ammonia
Sulfur dioxide (used to make ice)
Anesthetic gases (ether, nitrous oxide, chloroform)
Solvents used in dry cleaning, degreasing agents, or fire extinguishers
Industrial gases
Incomplete combustion of natural gas
Hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas)
Nitrogen dioxide from fermented grain
commonly abused inhaled poisons
Paints
Freon
Gas propellants
Glue
Nitrous oxide
Amyl nitrate
Butyl nitrate
s/s of respiratory tract burns
Singed nasal hairs
Soot in the sputum
Soot in the throat
injected poison
one that enters the body through a break in the skin, usually by the intentional injection of a drug or by the bite or sting of an animal or insect.
absorbed poison
a chemical or substance from a poisonous plant that enters through the skin—generally causes a burn, a lesion, or an inflammation.
food most commonly associated with poisoning
Eggs
Chicken
Ready-to-eat foods (cheese, processed meat)
Untreated water or unpasteurized milk
Fish
salmonella
From contaminated food and water, or from undercooked food
campylobacter
Common poisoning from contaminated poultry, milk, and water
E. Coli
Severe gastrointestinal poisoning from numerous contaminated foods, undercooked foods, and untreated (contaminated) water
Staphylococcus aureus
Food poisoning from unhygienic food preparation, associated with foods served cold (such as desserts, custards, and salads)
Carbon monoxide s/s
Headache
Tachypnea (rapid respiratory rate)
Dizziness (early)
Nausea and vomiting
Altered mental status (confusion early, unresponsive late)
High pulse oximeter reading
early s/s of cyanide
Headache
Confusion
Agitation or combative behavior
Burning sensation in the mouth or throat
Dyspnea
Hypertension
Bradycardia or tachycardia
Smell of bitter almonds
late s/s of cyanide
Seizures
Coma
Hypotension
Pulmonary edema
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac arrest
Acidosis
what makes cyanide so dangerous?
it is an extremely dangerous poison because it interferes with the use of oxygen at the cellular level.
acid/alkalis s/s
Burns to the mouth and lips, and around the face
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing, drooling)
Pain to the lips, mouth, and throat
Abdominal pain
Hoarseness or dysphasia (difficulty speaking)
Stridor
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Evidence of shock from perforation of the stomach or esophagus
hydrocarbons
substances that are produced from crude oil, coal, or plant sources. They are commonly found in kerosene, naphtha, turpentine, mineral oil, toluene, and benzene
hydrocarbons s/s
Coughing, choking, crying
Burns to mouth or contact area
Stridor
Dyspnea
Wheezing
Tachypnea
Cyanosis
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Belching
Fever
Seizures
Coma
Altered mental status
Headache, dizziness, and dulled reflexes (obtunded)
Slurred speech
Cardiac dysrhythmias
methanol s/s
Altered mental status (confusion, unresponsiveness)
Seizures
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Blurred vision
Dilated pupils that are sluggish to respond to light
Visual changes (seeing spots)
Blindness
Dyspnea
Tachypnea
isopropanol s/s
occur rapidly, usually within 30 minutes following ingestion
Respiratory depression
Altered mental status
Slow respirations, shallow tidal volume
Abdominal pain
Bloody vomitus (hematemesis)
Signs of shock
Ethylene Glycol
poisoning occurs in 3 stages
commonly found in detergents, radiator antifreeze, windshield deicers, and coolants
ethylene glycol first stage s/s
occurs 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion and primarily affects the central nervous system
Uncoordinated movements
Slurred speech
Altered mental status
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
Hallucinations
Ethylene glycol 2nd stage s/s
cardiopulmonary occurs 12–24 hours after ingestion and primarily affects the heart and lungs.
Tachypnea
Crackles upon auscultation, indicating pulmonary edema
Cyanosis
Dyspnea
Respiratory distress
Heart failure
Ethylene Glycol 3rd stage s/s
Renal system occurs from 24 to 72 hours following ingestion of the ethylene glycol and affects the kidneys.
Production of little urine (oliguria) or no urine (anuria)
Bloody urine (hematuria)
Pain to the flank areas
the following seven signs and symptoms indicate a high-priority patient
Unresponsiveness
Inadequate breathing
Fever
Abnormal heart rate (slow, fast, weak, or irregular)
Vomiting with an altered mental status
Chest pain
Seizures
CNS stimulants s/s
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
substance that excites the nervous system
Excitability, elevated mood, agitation, apprehension, uncooperativeness, tachycardia, tachypnea, dilated pupils, dry mouth, sweating, increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, lack of sleep
CNS Depressants s/s
substance that depresses the nervous system
Euphoria, drowsiness, sleepiness, decreased breathing rates and volumes, bradycardia, hypotension, dilated pupils that are sluggish to respond to light.
narcotics
CNS depressants that are derived from opium (opiates) or synthetic opium (opioids).
narcotics s/s
Bradycardia, hypotension, inadequate breathing rates and volume, cool, clammy skin, lethargy, constricted pupils, nausea. Respiratory depression or arrest can occur in these patients
hallucinogens s/s
sometimes called psychedelic drugs, cause hallucinations
Motor disturbances, paranoia, anxiety, visual or auditory hallucinations, tachycardia, dilated pupils, flushed face, poor perception of time and distance.
volatile inhalants s/s
substances that are inhaled
Excitement, euphoria, drunkenness, aggressiveness, depression, headache, drowsiness, nausea, swollen mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, glazed eyes, slurred speech, hallucinations, incoordination, erratic pulse and blood pressure, seizures
stage 1 alcohol withdrawl
occurs within approximately 8 hours and is characterized by nausea, insomnia, sweating, and tremors
stage 2 alcohol withdrawl
occurs within 8 to 72 hours and is characterized by a worsening of stage 1 symptoms plus hallucinations
stage 3 alcohol withdrawl
occur as early as 48 hours following the last alcoholic beverage and is characterized by major seizures
stage 4 alcohol withdrawl
characterized by delirium tremens which can occur 1 to 14 days after the last drink.
delirium tremens
a severe, life-threatening condition with a mortality rate of approximately 5 to 15 percent.
delirium tremens s/s
Severe confusion
Loss of memory
Tremors
Restlessness and irritability
Extremely high fever
Dilated pupils
Profuse sweating
Insomnia
Elevated blood pressure
Tachycardia
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Hallucinations
opiod
natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic agent that mimics the effects of morphine
opiod s/s
CNS depression
Respiratory depression (decreased respiratory rate and tidal volume)
Miosis (constricted pupils)
cholingeric
OVERSTIMULATE THE PARASYMPATHETIC NS
NERVE GASES; ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING
muscarinic symptoms
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Gi Cramping
Emesis
Nicotinic symptoms
Muscle cramps
Tachycardia
Weakness
Twitching
Fasciculations
number for poison control
800.222.1222
