Poisoning

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Exposure to a quantity of a substance by inhalation, injestion or absorption that leads to illness/death.

Question 2

What is toxidromes?

Answer 2

Collection of signs and symptoms associated with a certain class of toxins.

Question 3

Assessment and management of poisoning?

Answer 3

Resuscitation - (ABCDE and check for hypoglycaemia, convulsions, hypothermia/ hyperthermia) antidote must be administered and 12 Lead ECG
Risk Assessment- what drug was taken? What dose was taken? What time did they indigest it?

Question 4

What should you give a self poisoned person?

Answer 4

You should give them activated charcoal within one hour of ingestion to stop the poison absorbing into the stomach. Fully conscious causality and can protect their own airway. Vomiting will occur after giving this. Ineffective if poisons are hydrocarbons, alcohols, metals or corrosives.