T2- Poisonings Flashcards
Nearly 2/3 of all cases occur in children under __ years of age
6
Over 90% of all poisonings occur in the ___
Home
What are some developmental characteristics of children that cause increase in poisonings?
- Exploratory
- Oral activity
- Less discriminatory sense of taste
- Autonomy and initiative
- Lack of awareness of danger
Children are curious. What should we do to prevent poisoning?
Safe storage of meds and other household items!!
What should we teach family about poison control center?
Have their number by the telephone
If a child ingests an acid or alkaline, should we induce vomiting?
NO, we should dilute with milk/water
When do we do gastric lavage?
Toxic ingestion in the last 1-2 hours
When is gastric lavage contrainindicated?
In circumstances where risk of ASPIRATION is increased
- Hydrocarbons
- Seizures
- Resp. distress
- Corrosive ingestion (would cause damage to esophagus and pharynx)
During medical assessment and treatment, what should we do: treat the child and their symptoms or treat the child based on the poison they consumed?
Treat the child and their symptoms!
What is the first thing we do when assessing a child with poison? Then what? Step 3? Step 4?
- ABC and stabilize
- Administer O2, Narcan, and assess glucose in all patients with unexplained decrease in LOC
- Get history and examine pt.
- Obtain labs and specify drug serum levels as determined by history and exam
When do we administer activated charcoal in water?
All patients with potentially toxic ingestions presenting within 4 hours of overdose unless a substance not absorbed by activated charcoal has been ingested
What must we ensure is done for all purposeful overdoses?
Psychiatric assessment
What is activated charcoal?
Odorless, tasteless, fine black powder
When should we use activated charcoal ?
Within one hour of poison ingestion, but use it after giving emetic so that it won’t absorb the emetic
What does activated charcoal do?
Binds toxins
