Pharmacology - Poisons!

Question 1

Lead poisoning

Answer 1

1. Colicky abdominal pain (“lead colic”), constipation, headaches, impaired concentration and deficits in short term memory.
2. Blush depigmentation (lead lines) at the gum tooth line.
3. Wrist drop or foot drop due to peripheral neuropathy.
4. Microcytic hypochromic anemia and basophilic stippling on peripheral smear.

Question 2

Iron poisoning

Answer 2

Four stages.

1. Nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain accompanied by hemorrhage, hypovolemia, and shock.
2. GI sx resolve and pt appears better
3. Metabolic acidosis, hepatic dysfunction, hypoglycemia.
4. Scarring of the recovering GI tract.