Poisoning

Question 1

What are the features of a Benzodiazepine OD?

Answer 1

Respiratory depression

Decreasing GCS - confusion, loss of consciousness

Question 2

What is the treatment of a Benzodiazepine OD?

Answer 2

Flumazenil

Question 3

What are the features of alcohol OD?

Answer 3

Respiratory depression

Reduced GCS

Question 4

What is the management of alcohol OD?

Answer 4

Wait for the body to break down the alcohol

Question 5

What are the features of Lithium OD?

Answer 5

Nausea
Vomiting
Ataxia
Coarse tremor
Confusion
Polyuria
Renal failure

Question 6

What is the treatment of Lithium OD?

Answer 6

Reduce blood concentration by diluting with saline

Question 7

What are the features of opiate OD?

Answer 7

Pin point pupils
Respiratory depression
Decreasing GCS

Question 8

What is the treatment of opiate OD?

Answer 8

Naloxone - beware t1/2 is shorter than opiate t1/2

Question 9

What are the features of Tricyclic antidepressant OD?

Answer 9

Increased QTc which predisposes to Torsade de pointes
Metabolic acidosis
Anticholinergic effects - dry throat/mouth, Urinary retention, pupil dilation, increased body temperature

Question 10

Why do diuretics worsen Lithium toxicity?

Answer 10

The body attempts to reverse the effect of the diuretic by taking up Na+. Na+ and Li+ have similar structure/charge so Li+ taken up instead of Na+ - worsening of toxicity