Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Internal medicine rotations > Poisoning & Environmental Exposure > Flashcards

Poisoning & Environmental Exposure Flashcards

1
Q

Ingestion of this leads to damage of the tissue lining the GI tract, manifested by necrosis, edema, scarring and severe pain. A white tongue, heavy salivation, and dysphagia are results of this process. Severe esophageal and stomach ulceration may also occur . . . NO ALTERATION in CONSCIOUSNESS

A

Caustic ingestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What should physicians monitor for in caustic ingestion

A

Peritonitis and mediastinitis . . potential esophageal and stomach ulceration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q
  • hyperthermia
  • mydriasis (pupil dilation)
  • delirium
  • urinary retention
  • decreased bowel sounds
  • dry mouth
A

Anticholinergic toxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q
  • CNS depression
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • hypotension
  • anticholinergic signs (hyperthermia, flushing, dilated pupils, decreased bowel sounds, urinary retention)
A

TCA poisoning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q
  • Headache
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • flushed skin
  • inhalational exposure causes a bitter almond odor
  • highly lethal
A

cyanide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q
  • AMS
  • Ataxia
  • Slurred speech
A

alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q
  • Bradycardia
  • miosis (constricted pupils)
  • bronchorrhea
  • muscle fasciculations
  • salivation
  • lacrimation
  • diarrhea
  • urination
A

Organophosphate poisoning . . Acetylcholinesterase is rendered non-functional leading to cholinergic excess

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What counteracts the effects of organophosphate poisoning and should be given immediately?

A
  • Atropine

- It acts by competing with acetylcholine at the muscarinic receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Management of Organosphosphate poisoning

A
  • Atropine immediately
  • Of equal importance is the immediate removal of the patients clothing (since it is soaked with vomitus) to prevent continued absorption of organophosphates through the skin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Obtaining an emergent ECG and analyzing the QRS complex is critical in what overdose

A

TCA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Slurred speech, unsteady gait, and drowsiness are consistent with a benzodiazepine overdose (also alcohol). In the absence of coingestion, this typically presents with what vital signs and pupillary size

A
  • Normal vital signs

- Normal pupillary size (2-4 mm in bright light)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What may develop with benzo ovedose is coingested with opioids or alcohol or when they are administered IV

A

Respiratory depression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q
  • tremor
  • hyperreflexia
  • ataxia
  • seizures
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
A

Lithium toxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q
  • sedation
  • respiratory depression
  • Miosis (constricted pupils)
A

opioid intoxication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
  • horizontal nystagmus
  • cerebellar ataxia
  • confusion
A

phenytoin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  • HTN
  • tachycardia
  • hyperreflexia
  • clonus
  • agitation
A

Serotonin syndrome in the setting of serotonergic drug use (eg, coprescription of antidepressant and triptan)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal discomfort
  • confusion
  • coma
  • Pinkish-red skin hue
A

Carbon monoxide . . colorless, odorless gas emitted by automobiles, furnaces and charcoal grills
-When inhaled, it prevents the body’s tissues from utilizing oxygen effectively

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

how do you diagnosis carbon monoxide poisoning

A

obtaining carboxyhemoglobin levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning

A

hyperbaric oxygen administration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

The symptoms of cyanide inhalation can be similar to those of carbon monoxide exposure, so the history is very important . . what is the difference in history and what clinical clue can help distinguish cyanide poisoning

A
  • Burning of rubber or plastic . . . NOT WOOD

- Bitter almond breath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

This presents with many similarities to carbon monoxide poisoning and it can be induced by certain drugs and environmental exposures. . . . it presents with bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes

A

Methemoglobinemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q
  • Garlic breath
  • vomiting
  • Watery diarrhea
  • QTc prolongation
A

ACUTE arsenic poisoning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q
  • Hypo/Hyperpigmentation
  • Hyperkeratosis
  • Stocking-glove neuropathy
A

CHRONIC arsenic poisoning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the mechanism of Arsenic poisoning

A
  • Binds to sulfhydryl groups

- Disrupts cellular respiration and gluconeogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Sources of arsenic

A
  • Pesticides/insecticides
  • Contaminated water (often from wells)
  • Pressure-treated wood
26
Q

Treatment of Arsenic poisoning

A
  • Dimercaprol (British anti-Lewisite)

- DMSA (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, succimer)

27
Q

patient who is routinely exposed to antique wood, has polyneuropathy, pancytopenia, and mild transaminase elevation, and a variety of skin lesions

A

Chronic arsenic toxicity

28
Q

what finding on nails are characteristic of arsenic poisoning

A

Mees lines (horizontal striation of fingernails)

29
Q

How is diagnosis of arsenic toxicity made

A
  • History
  • PE
  • Measurement of urine arsenic levels
30
Q

Acute attacks of this are triggered by a number of factors and are associated with patchy sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction. Severe abdominal pain is typical

A

Acute intermittent porphyria . . caused by a partial deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase, an enzyme involved in heme synthesis

31
Q

This can lead to sensorimotor neuropathy in a stocking-glove distribution along with microcytic anemia. Although the neuropathy is similar to arsenic toxicity, GI complaints are typical and skin changes are NOT usually seen

A

Chronic lead poisoning

32
Q

Describe the management of TCA antidepressant overdose

A
  • Supplemental oxygen, intubation
  • IV fluids
  • Activated charcoal for patients within 2 hours of ingestion (unless ileus present)
  • IV sodium bicarb for QRS widening or ventricular arrhythmia
33
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of TCA overdose causing cardiac toxicity

A
  • TCAs inhibit fast sodium channels in the His-Purkinje system and myocardium
  • This decreases conduction velocity, increases duration of repolarization, and prolongs absolute refractory periods
  • This results in hypotension, QRS prolongation, and Ventricular arrhythmias (eg, Vtach, Vfib)
34
Q

QRS interval > 100 msec in the setting of TCA overdose is an indication for sodium bicarb therapy. Describe the mechanism behind how this helps

A
  • Increased serum pH and extracellular sodium
  • Increased pH (goal 7.50-7.55) decreases drug avidity for sodium channels
  • Elevate extracellular sodium concentration increases the electrochemical gradient across cardiac cells and affects the ability of TCSs to bind to fast SODIUM channels
35
Q

Describe the mechanism by which sodium bicarb helps in aspirin overdose

A

Urine alkalinization increases salicylate excretion

36
Q

Treatment of acute opioid intoxication

A
  • Naloxone (may need repeated dosings)
  • Airway management and ventilation
  • Exclude other AMS causes (eg, hypoglycemia)
37
Q

Describe the clinical findings of Frostbite

A
  • Superficial pallor and Anesthesia
  • Blistering, eschar formation
  • Deep tissue necrosis and mummification
38
Q

Management of frostbite

A
  • Rapid rewarming in 37-39 C (98.6 - 102.2 F) WATER bath
  • analgesia and wound care
  • Thrombolysis in severe, limb-threatening cases
39
Q

This is used to reverse life-threatening delirium caused by anticholinergic agents (eg, atropine, diphenhydramine)

A

Physostigmine

40
Q

What are used to treat seizures due to TCA overdose

A

Benzodiazepines

41
Q

Management of Caustic ingestion

A
  • Secure ABCs
  • Decontamination: remove contaminated clothing and visible chemicals; irrigate exposed skin
  • Chest x-ray if respiratory symptoms
  • Endoscopy within 24 hours
42
Q

This can decrease systemic absorption of poisons and is used for many types of toxic ingestions

A

Activated charcoal

43
Q

Miosis and acute opioid intoxication

A

Many do have miosis, but its absence does not exclude the diagnosis.
-Normal or even enlarged pupils may be seen in patients who have co-exposures to other agents that conteract miosis (eg, methamphetamine)

44
Q

This is an alternate opioid agonist used in long-term management of opioid addiction, but it is not useful in acute intoxication

A

buprenorphine

45
Q

Hypothermia and acute opioid intoxication

A

Hypothermia results from environmental exposure and impaired themogenesis and can occur even at room temperature in severely intoxicated patients

46
Q

This is administered in cases of beta blocker intoxication, which presents with bradycardia and hypotension

A

Glucagon

47
Q

What is the most reliable and predictive sign of opioid intoxication

A

Decreased respiratory rate

48
Q

Patient brought to emergency department 2 hours after ingesting a potentially toxic dose (single dose of > 7.5 g) of acetaminophen. Describe the progression of Acetaminophen intoxication

A
  • in early stage can by asymptomatic (first 24 hours) or may have only nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia
  • After 24 hours, patients may develop severe liver injury
49
Q

Describe the management of Acetaminophen toxicity

A
  • Intitial management should be focused on gastric decontamination with activated charcoal if the patients presents within 4 hours of ingestion
  • Acetaminophen levels should be obtains at same time
  • The Rumack-Matthew nomogram provides the likelihood of hepatotoxic effects of acetaminophen overdose after a single ingestion based on plasma levels . . used to guide administration of N-acetylcysteine in patients with dangerous levels . . first point begins at 4 hours
50
Q

Methanol’s immediate effects are similar to those of alcohol, causing disinhibition. However, within 24 hours of ingestion, methanol can lead to headache, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. What is the most severe consequence of methanol intoxication?

A
  • vision loss

- coma

51
Q

Physical exam and labs in methanol poisoning

A
  • Optic disc hyperemia
  • Anion gap metabolic acidosis
  • Increased osmolar gap is often seen as well
52
Q

Normal anion gap

A

8-12

53
Q

Ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning share similarities. Both are sometimes ingested as a substitute for ethanol and both can cause anion gap metabolic acidosis and inceased osmolar gap . . describe the difference in damage organs?

A
  • Methanol damages eyes

- Ethylene glycol damages kidneys

54
Q

this presents with anion gap metabolic acidosis along with Tinnitus, fever, and hyperventilation

A

Aspirin overdose

55
Q

what dipstick and UA finding is consistent with Rhabdomyolysis

A

-Large blood on dipstick with no RBCs by microscopy

56
Q

uncontrolled efflux of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is the underlying pathophysiology of what?

A

malignant hyperthermia

57
Q

Inadequate sodium and water replacement during physical activity can lead to head EXHAUSTION (not stroke) because of the body’s inability to maintain what?

A
  • adequate cardiac output
  • Core body temp is usually < 40 C (104 F)
  • Significant CNS dysfunction (eg, seizure, delirium) is NOT present
58
Q

All patients with smoke inhalation should be suspected for this and treated with what?

A
  • Acute carbon monoxide poisoning

- 100% oxygen via a nonrebreather facemask

59
Q

What are the early symptoms of CO poisoning

A

typically neurological and include agitation, confusion, somnolence

60
Q

These are the proper antidotes for patients with anticholinesterase toxicity, as seen in organophosphate poisoning. These patients presents with cholinergic toxicity characterized by bradycardia, miosis, and salivation

A

Atropine and pralidoxime

Internal medicine rotations (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions