Resuscitation (Murray 1.1-1.9) Flashcards
Describe the resuscitation protocol for patients with a tox ingestion.
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Detect + Correct: seizures (benzos), hypoglycaemia (treat BSL <4) and hyper/hypothermia, Emergency antidote administration
What is the principal mechanism by which airway compromise may occur with acute poisoning? What agents are often the cause?
Corrosive injury to oropharynx. Alkalis, acids, glyphosate, paraquat.
What condition may cause respiratory failure in overdose?
Cholinergic crisis: carbamates, nerve agents, organophosphates
How would you counteract a cholinergic crisis?
Rapid administration of atropine by serial doubling of atropine dose to achieve dry respiratory secretions
What drug can cause significant hypoxaemia? Why?
Paraquat due to oxygen free radical-mediated cellular injury of type II pneumocytes
How does hydrofluoric acid cause VF?
By causing hypocalcaemia
How do you treat hydrofluoric acid burns?
IV calcium bolus (60-90 ml 10% calcium gluconate) every 2 minutes + defibrillation
What does hydrofluoric acid cause?
VF
What drugs can cause VT and why?
All drugs causing fast sodium channel blockade. Including: chloroquine, cocaine, flecainide, Las, procainamide, propranolol, quinine, TCAs
How do you manage a patient with suspected sodium channel blockade?
Intubate, hyperventilate, bolus IV sodium bicarb every 1-2 minutes. Consider lignocaine.
What drugs do you never give in patients with a suspected sodium channel blockade?
Amiodarone and type 1a anti-dysrhythmics
What drugs an cause severe ventricular tachycardia/ectopy?
Chloral hydrate, hydrocarbons, organochlorines. This is due to toxin-induced myocardial sensitisation to catecholamines
What is the treatment of chloral hydrate-induced ventricular ectopy/VT?
IV beta-blockers
What drugs should you consider high-dose insulin therapy for in the event of hypotension?
CCBs, propranolol, LA agents
With what drug-induced tachycardia are beta blockers contraindicated?
Amphetamines, cocaine. Use benzos instead
What drug can cause SVT? How?
Theophylline due to adenosine antagonism. Thus adenosine is ineffective for treatment.
How is the SVT associated with theophylline treated?
Not with adenosine, instead trial beta-blockers and if fails then urgent haemodialysis
What clinical syndrome and what is the treatment of digoxin-toxicity?
Na-K-ATPase pump inhibition; digoxin-specific antibodies
What is the management for calcium channel blockade causing a toxidrome?
Atropine/pacing likely not successful. Bolus IV calcium (60 ml 10% calcium gluconate) + high-dose insulin
What toxidrome can cause hyperkalaemia?
Digoxin. Do not give calcium salts.
How do you manage hypoglycaemia caused by sulfonylureas?
Dextrose + octreotide administration
What two drugs in overdose are known to cause seizures?
Isoniazid (inhibition of GABA) and theophylline (adenosine antagonism)
What is the treatment of isoniazid seizures?
IV pyridoxine 1 gram per gram of ingested isoniazid (up to 5 grams total)
What are the most common toxicological causes for seizures in Australia?
Venlafaxine, tramadol, amphetamines, bupropion. Withdrawal seizures with benzos or ETOH are also common.
What drug is absolutely contraindicated in the management of toxicological seizures?
Phenytoin; poor efficacy and potentially exaccerbates sodium channel blockade
List drugs associated with hypoglycaemia in overdose.
Insulin, sulfonylureas, beta-blockers, quinine, chloroquine, salicylates, valproic acid
What are the 5 key components of the risk assessment?
(a) Agents, (b) Doses, (c) Time since ingestion, (d) Clinical features + progress, (e) Patient factors (weight/co-morbidities)
What are the management steps for toxicological ingestions?
(a) Supportive care + monitoring, (b) Screening + specialised testing, (c) Decontamination, (d) Enhanced elimination, (e) Antidotes, (f) Disposition
You are asked to draw up a plan for an acute intoxication patient, what should be included?
(1) Expected clinical course, (2) Potential complications according to individualised assessment, (3) Type of observation/monitoring required, (4) End points that must result in further review, (5) Management plans for agitation/delirium, (6) Criteria for changing management, (7) Provisional psychosocial risk + contingency plan should the patient attempt to abscond prior to psychosocial assessment