Poisonings

Question 1

What is the treatment for iron poisoning?

Answer 1

Deferoxamine, an iron-chelating agent.

Question 2

What is the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 2

Outcompete the CO with as much oxygen as possible

100% O2

Question 3

How does organophosphate poisoning present?

Answer 3

Organophosphates are in pesticides - classically presents in farmers

It is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor - therefore you get high levels of ACh - CHOLINERGIC SYNDROME
Overstimulation of cholinergic (autonomic NS) and nicotinic receptors (on skeletal muscle)

excessive cholinergic activation
SLUDGE syndrome
- Salivation
- Lacrimation
- Urination
- Defecation
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Emesis.

Also
- Bronchospasm + bronchorrhoea –> wheeze
- Bradycardia
- blurry vision
- confusion
- muscle weakness

Question 4

What is the treatment for organophosphate poisoning?

Answer 4

there is a window period during which a medication called pralidoxime can be given, which can detach the organophosphate from the receptor—however, this is time dependent, and after hours have passed, the pralidoxime will no longer be able to unbind the organophosphate because a process called “aging” has occurred and the bond is unbreakable.

2. atropine is a muscarinic antagonist that reverses the autonomic symptoms( the excessive cholinergic activation).
   It does not, affect the nicotinic receptors (on muscles) so it cannot treat the muscle weakness.