Kerosene Poisoning Flashcards
Counsel this mother whose child ingested kerosene about an hour ago
Grip + LCCC
ASK
What is the name of the child
How old is he
What is your relationship with this child
Are you his mother
Where you present when the incident occurred
What was done after then
What do you know about kerosene poisoning
Tell
Poisoning is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and most times it is accidental
It is a hydrocarbon, colorless fluid with purgent smell and its found in many homes, it’s usually used in lightening and cooking.
The most common way of entering the body is oral ingestion but can also be inhaled
Luckily because of unpleasant smell it is usually not ingested in large quantities but it can also aspirate which brings us to the major complications
It commonly occurs in children under four years of age because at this age children shows curiousity, impulsiveness and are at their oral stage where they explore every thing by ingesting it,
Clinical features
After ingestion
Difficult in breathing, cough, vomiting,
Wheezing, choking, nausea, irritability, convulsions, blurred vision
Respiratory symptoms appears within mins , while CNS symptoms can be delayed for hours
Complications
The most feared complications occur as a result of aspiration into the lungs which occurs during ingestion or due to vomiting that occurs afterwards and this usually leads to aspiration pneumonia (chemical inhalation) of the lungs.
Help
When it happens do not induce vomiting
The child should be brought to the hospital where experts can handle it
At first,
the child will be resuscitated to ensure adequate oxygen. If not he will be placed on oxygen
We will take blood sample to run some test like FBC, electrolytes and glucose
We will do Chest x ray
If patient is stable we will monitor for 6 hours to prevent late complications after which we will discharge our patient
However if there are signs of lung affectation or other complications we will keep the patient for longer admission and start appropriate treatment
Eg penicillin injection
Oxygen therapy etc
I would like to advise you to keep your kerosene and other harmful substances away from the reach of your children and also substances should be labeled properly to prevent accidental ingestion.
Empathy
I understand that this info is a lot to take in and you are worried about your child, but be rest assured that your child is in hand and we will do all it takes to keep him safe.
Retell
Do you understand all I have said so far
Do you have any questions for me
Can you retell all I have just said in your own words
Well done ma
I will advise you to bring your child for follow up in one week
Thank you ma
Thank your examiner
