Emergency Medicine/ Toxicology Flashcards
What should be done initially on CCS if a pt presents to the ER with acute change in mental status of unclear etiology?
Give naloxone, thiamine, dextrose and oxygen and saline while checking toxicology screen
When is gastric emptying useful?
First hour of overdose
What is the best initial step in management of a pt presenting to the ER with acute change in mental status of unclear etiology?
Administer nalxone, dextrose, and thiamine
Correct for opioid overdose, hypoglycemia, and alcoholic issue
What six things should be done simultaneously for an overdose case on the CCS?
- specific antidote (or dextrose, thiamine and naloxone)
- toxicology screen
- charcoal
- CBC, chemistry, urinalysis
- psychiatric consult (if suicide attempt)
- oxygen (for possible carbon monoxide)
What is the specific antidote for acetaminophen overdose?
N-acetyl cysteine (prevents liver toxicity in first 24 hours)
What is the specific antidote for aspirin overdose?
bicarbonate (to alkalinize urine)
What should be avoided in benzodiazepines overdose?
flumazenil (will precipitate benzo withdrawal and seizures)
What is the specific antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning?
100% oxygen (hyperbaric in some cases)
What is the specific antidote for digoxin overdose/ poisoning?
digoxin-binding antibodies (digiband)
What is the specific antidote for ethylene glycol overdose?
fomepizole or ethanol (along with dialysis)
What is the specific antidote for methanol overdose?
fomepizole or ethanol (along with dialysis)
What is the specific antidote for methemoglobinemia?
methylene blue (with 100% oxygen)
What is the specific antidote for neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
bromocriptine or dantrolene
What is the specific antidote for opiates overdose?
naloxone
What is the specific antidote for organophosphate overdose?
atropine and/or pralidoxime
What is the specific antidote for tricyclic antidepressants overdose?
bicarbonate (protects the heart)
What two diseases/ disorders lowers the amount of acetaminophen needed for toxicity and fatality in overdose?
- liver disease
2. alcohol abuse
What are the symptoms of acetaminophen overdose in the first 24 hours and between 48-72 hours after ingestion?
24 hours: nausea and vomiting
48-72 hours: hepatic failure
What is the lowest acetaminophen level in a normal pt in which it is toxic to the patient?
10 grams
What is the lowest acetaminophen level in a normal pt in which it is a fatal to the patient?
15 grams
What is the next best step in management of a pt presenting with acetaminophen ingestion however the amount of ingestion is equivocal?
obtain acetaminophen level
An overdose pt presenting with hyperventilation, respiratory alkalosis followed by metabolic acidosis with elevated anion gap, renal insufficiency, elevated prothrombin time (PT), confusion, fever and tinnitus most likely overdosed on ….
aspirin (salicylate)
What five things should be done on CCS in a case of aspirin overdose?
- CBC
- chemistry panel
- arterial blood gas (ABG)
- coagulation study (PT, PTT, INR)
- salicylate (ASA) level
What is the treatment for aspirin overdose?
- alkalinize urine (increase excretion)
- charcoal (block absorption)
- dialysis (if severe)
What is used to to alkalinize the urine in overdose cases (salicylates, TCAs, phenobarbital, chlorpropamide)?
D5W with 3 amps of bicarbonate
On CCS, what three levels should always be checked in an overdose patient?
- aspirin (salicylate)
- acetominophen
- alcohol
(high frequency of co-ingestion)