Toxic Gases Flashcards
What metabolic disturbance happens with ammonia poisoning?
Alkalosis with compensatory acidosis
T/F ammonia increases the ability to clear bacteria from the lungs
False
Ammonia mechanism of action
Inhibits the TCA cycle, death due to asphyxia/edema and metabolic disturbances
Do you see red mucous membranes with ammonia?
Si
Ammonia tx?
Remove source, ointment to help MM, diuretics (edema)
What is the most dangerous sewage gas?
Hydrogen sulfide
What has is colorless and smells like rotten eggs?
Hydrogen sulfide
What color do the tissues like with hydrogen sulfide poisoning and why?
Dark to greenish purple bc reacts with iron
At what ppm does a sudden exposure cause death?
400
Mechanism of action for hydrogen sulfide?
Direct irritation to MM, decreased cellular respiration, asphyxia
Tx of hydrogen sulfide poisoning?
Sodium nitrate IV
T/F CO is odorless and colorless
True
What does the ‘canary in the coal mine’ phenomenon refer to
Smaller animals show signs of CO poisoning first
What is the mechanism of action for CO
CO combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which cannot carry O2. Hemoglobin has a higher affinity for CO
At what % COHb is sudden death?
60-70
What color is blood with CO? MM?
Blood is bright red, MM healthy pink
How long is carboxyhemoglobin stable in whole blood for dx?
A few days if refrigerated
Txt for CO?
Oxygen or CO2
Do not give 100% O2 for more then 18 hours
What gas is termed ‘silo fillers disease’
Nitrous oxide
What color is nitrous oxide and tetra?
NO2 = reddish brown
N2O4 = colorless
Mixture is yellow brown
What does nitrogen oxide smell like?
Chlorine like odor
T/F exposure of swine to 250 ppm for 10 min will result in death in about an hour
True
What is more toxic, an acute NO2 toxicity with high concentration of chronic with low concentrations?
Acute high is more toxic
Mechanism of action of nitrous oxide?
Direct irritant to MM, cause methemoglobinemia, death from hypoxia
Tx for nitrous oxide ?
IV methamylene blue
What level of sulfur oxide is toxic to cats within an hour?
500ppm
What is the mechanism of action of sulfur oxide?
Bronchoconstriction and lung damage
T/F older patients more likely to recover from smoke inhalation
False
What is the mechanism of action of a simple asphyxiant?
Space occupying, push O2 out of lungs
Mechanism of action of chemical asphyxiated?
Toxic systemic effects like CO alter O2 carrying capacity
What gas adheres highly to soot?
Sulfur dioxide
High soluble particle affect where?
Low soluble particles effect where?
High - upper airways
Low - lower airways
What drugs are contraindicated with smoke inhalation?
Steroids, cough suppressants, opioids
Does ammonia have a sharp odor?
Yes
