Toxicology Flashcards
Ipecac? Gastric lavage?
V. rarely used. Gastric lavage - only with ET tube (AMS, uncooperative); prevent aspiration, laryngospasm.
Activated charcoal?
Yes, immediately. Do not use with hydrocarbons, acids/alkalis. Does not tend to work well for lithium, K+, iron, some metals, alcohols. Risk - aspiration pneumonitis. Do not use cathartics.
Whole bowel irrigation (GoLYTLETY, Colyte)?
Use in: -lithium, heavy metals, iron -multiple packets of drugs -sustained release tablets Must be able to sit on toilet.
“GI Dialysis”
Multiple doses of activated charcoal. Effective for theophylline, pentobarbital, carbamazepine, quinine.
Hemodialysis?
ASA, lithium, methanol, ethylene glycol.
Charcoal Hemoperfusion?
Theophylline, pentobarbital; rarely available.
Labs in Intoxication Pt
Bedside glucose, (+) naloxone, urine/blood toxicology; EKG, acetaminophen level (+NAS w/in 8 hr), CXR, KUB, LFTs, UA, acid-base status, serum Osms.
Toxidrome - Anticholinergic
S/S, Common Causes
Agitated delirium, visual hallucinations, mumbling speech, tachycardia, DRY FLUSHED SKIN, DILATED PUPILS, myoclonus, temp up, URINARY RETENTION, decreased bowel sounds –> seizures, dysrhythmias.
!!! Antihistamines, antiparkinsonism medication, atropine, scopolamine, amatadine, antipsychotics, antidepressants, mydriatics, skeletal muscle relaxants, many plants (jimsyn weed).
** “Blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, red as a beet, hot as Hades (or hot as a hare), dry as a bone, the bowel and bladder lose their tone, and the heart runs alone.” **
Toxidrome - Sympathomimetic
S/S, Common Causes
Delusions, agitation, paranoia, tachycardia, HTN, hyperpyrexia, diaphoresis, piloerection, mydriasis, hyperreflexia –> seizures, dysrhythmias.
Cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines (MDA/MDMA, MDEA), OTC decongestants (ephedrine).
Toxidrome - Opiate/Sedative
S/S, Common Causes
Coma, resp depression, mitosis, hypoTN, bradycardia, hypothermia, acute lung injury, decreased bowel sounds, hyporeflexia, needle marks.
Narcotics, barbs, BZDs.
Toxidrome - Cholinergic
S/S, Common Causes
SLUDGE MM: Salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, GI distress, emesis, mitosis, muscle spasm.
DUMBBELSS: Diarrhea, urination, miosis, bronchospasm, bradycardia, emesis, lacrimation, salivation, sweating.
Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, physostigmine, edrophonium, some mushrooms.
Unconscious OD Pt? Give…
dextrose + naloxone (2 mg in acute OD; multiple 0.2 mg doses in chronic opioid use to prevent withdrawal)
Anticholinergic Toxidrome? Give…
Physostigmine, 1-2 mg IV slowly. NEVER give in TCA OD (i.e., EKG w/ QRS widening, large R wave in aVR).
Digitalis Poisoning? Give…
Digoxin immune Fab (Digiband, Digitab), up to 10 vials, must wait 20 min for response.
Cholinergic Toxidrome? Give…
Atropine (dry pulmonary secretions) + pralidoxime (reverse skeletal m. toxicity).
BZD OD? Give…
Usually nothing…if acute BZD OD resulting in significant toxicity, give flumazenil. May cause BZD withdrawal, seizures. Give 0,2 mg…30 secs…0.3 mg…30 secs…0.5 mg - repeat up to total 3 mg.
Methanol/ethylene glycol poisoning? Give…
Ethanol and fomepizole - alcohol dehydrogenase blocking agents; prevent metabolism to toxic metabolites.
Acetaminophen OD? Give…
N-acetylcysteine, best if w/in 8 hrs. PO 140 mg/kg loading dose + 70 mg/kg q4hrs). IV 150 mg/kg in 200 ml D5W over 15 min loading dose + 50 mg/kg in 500 ml D5W over 4 hrs + 100 mg/kg in 1 L D5W over 16 hr.
EtOH Withdrawal? Give…
BZD (diazepam, lorazepam) +/– haloperidol for hallucinations.
Acute AWDs? Chronic AWDs?
AWDs = alcohol withdrawal seizure
Acute – Airway, 50% dextrose, BZD (IV + 2-days post seizure).
Chronic – (i.e., epileptogenic focus) phenytoin, etc.
PREVENT WITH BZDs!
Complications of chronic alcoholism or binge drinking…
EtOH-induced hypoglycemia, alcoholic ketoacidosis.
Complications of chronic alcoholism or binge drinking…
EtOH-induced hypoglycemia, alcoholic ketoacidosis. Note AKA can occur with ketoacidosis (met acidosis), hyperventilation (resp alk), and protracted emesis (met alk).
Chemical sedation in combative EtOHic.
Haloperidol, sedation without airways compromise or respiratory depression.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
Ddx and Tx
Ddx (2 of following):
- Dietary deficiencies.
- Oculomotor abnormalities.
- Cerebellar dysfunction.
- AMS or mild memory impairment.
Tx - Thiamine IV + Mg
Methanol v. Ethylene Glycol Poisoning - Metabolism and Treatment
Methanol –> (ADH) –> formaldehyde TOXIC –> formic acid –> (folate) –> CO2 + H2O NON-TOXIC.
Methanol –> (ADH) –> glycolic acid TOXIC –> (thiamine, VitB6/pyridoxine) –> metabolites NON-TOXIC.
Methanol Poisoning - Ocular Toxicity
Retinal edema, hyperemia of disc, decreased visual acuity.
Anion Gap
Osmolal Gap
Na – (HCO3- + Cl-), nml 6-10.
2*Na + glucose/18 + BUN/2.8 + ethanol?4.3, positive is > 10 mOsm.
Methanol & Ethylene Glycol Poisoning - Treatment
Airway, sodium bicarb, antidotes –ethanol & 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) – competitively block conversion to toxic metabolites.
Give ethanol/fomepizole (saturate ADH) + folate or thiamine/VitB6 +/– hemodialysis?