Toxicology

Question 1

Carbon monoxide poisoning and treatment

Answer 1

Displacing oxygen from hemoglobin
Impairing oxygen release from Hb
Flu-like symptoms, loss of consciousness, seizures, and death
Tx- 100% oxygen, Hyperbaric oxygen

Question 2

Oxygen toxicity

Answer 2

Caused by production of reactive oxygen intermediates

Susceptibility to mucous plugging, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, retinal detachment and seizures.

Question 3

Cyanide toxicity and treatment

Answer 3

Caused by fruit seeds, lima bean, raw almond and sodium nitroprusside.
Causes hypoxia, shortness of breath and a cherry red skin color
Tx- sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate and Hydroxocobalamin

Question 4

Lead poisoning and treatment

Answer 4

Blue line on gum margin, microcytic anemia with basophilic stippling and dense metaphyseal band
Tx- Blood lead > 44: edetate calcium disodium (EDTA), succimer, dimercaprol, penicillamine
Blood lead > 70: IV EDTA+dimercaprol

Question 5

Copper poisoning and treatment

Answer 5

Wilson’ disease- parkinsonism, cirrhosis, neuropsychiatric symptoms, Kayser-Fleischer ring
Tx- penicillamine

Question 6

Acute iron toxicity and treatment

Answer 6

Causes necrotizing gastritis, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. See Iron tablet ingestion-abdominal X-ray
Tx- Deferoxamine