Cyanide poisoning

Question 1

What plants contain cyanogenic glycosides?

Answer 1

Sudan grass
Johnson grass
Sorghums
Wild cherry

Question 2

What is sodium nitropusside used for?

Answer 2

as a hypotensive

Question 3

What does combustion plastic compounds produce?

Answer 3

HCN gas - hydrogen cyanide gas

Question 4

T/F. HCN accumulates more as the plant dries

Answer 4

False, it disappears as the plant dries and also from the rumen contents

Question 5

T/F. cyanide is irritant to mucous membranes, and the CN radical forms complexes with a number of chemicals such as ferric ion, cupric, and molybdenum

Answer 5

True

Question 6

T/F. Cyanide has antithyroid effects

Answer 6

False - Thiocyanate SCN has antithyroid effect but not cyanide

Question 7

What animals are more susceptible to cyanide?

Answer 7

Ruminants are more susceptible than horses and swine

Question 8

T/F. Sheep are more susceptible to cyanide than ruminants?

Answer 8

false, less susceptible

Question 9

What does the hydrolysis of cyanogenic plants by the rumen microflora cause?

Answer 9

the release of cyanide

Question 10

What does plant damage (stunting, wilting, trampling, frost, drought, or treatment with 2,4-D) cause?

Answer 10

The release of B-glucoside that causes hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides and release of cyanide (HCN)

Question 11

What part of the plant contains more cyanogenic glycoside?

Answer 11

The seeds > leaves > bark > stems > fruit

Question 12

T/F adult plants contain more glycoside than young plants

Answer 12

False - young and growing plants contain more glycoside

Question 13

What soil conditions might increase glycoside in plants?

Answer 13

nitrogen or low phosphorus

Question 14

How is HCN absorbed?

Answer 14

form GI tract, inhalation or skin

Question 15

T/F. CN in the presence of thiosulfate is metabolized by serum and liver sulfurtransferase (rhodanes) to thiocyanate (SCN) which is relatively more toxic and excreted in urine

Answer 15

False - less toxic

Question 16

Excess CN in the blood and tissues binds with ferric iron and cupric copper of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, which causes what?

Answer 16

Blocks electron transport and inhibits the cells to utilize the available oxygen resulting in histotoxic anoxia

Question 17

What acid base disorder occurs with cyanide poisoning?

Answer 17

Metabolic acidosis due to anaerobic glycolysis

Question 18

T/F Cyanide has a prominent vasodilator effect

Answer 18

False - vasoconstrictor

Question 19

Cyanide may inhibit enzymes of ______ and _____ and decrease cellular energy

Answer 19

Glycolysis and citric acid cycle

Question 20

What clinical signs will you see with cyanide poisoning?

Answer 20

Tachypnea, anxiety, severe panting, gasping, may die without showing clinical signs

Question 21

T/F. Cyanide poisoning may have goitrogenic effects

Answer 21

true

Question 22

What lesions will you see on an animal with cyanide toxicity?

Answer 22

Mucous membranes are bright red, blood cherry red and may not clot
GI and lungs show congestion and petechial hemorrhages

Question 23

What are good specimens to test for cyanide poisoning?

Answer 23

Brain and heart

Question 24

T/F. All specimens, including blood, should be frozen immediately and kept frozen until analysis

Answer 24

False - except blood

Question 25

What are good indicators for the presence and severity of cyanide poisoning?

Answer 25

Lactic acidosis and increased anion gap

Question 26

How would you treat cyanide poisoning?

Answer 26

Sodium nitrite 20% IV