Toxicology Flashcards
What is the typical route of exposure for carbon monoxide?
Inhalation. Released from running cars.
50%! in blood lethal
Typical levels Non-smoker: 1% Smoker: 5-10%
What is the clinical presentation of a carbon monoxide overdose?
- Psychomotor impairment
- Headache and tightness temporal area
- Confusion and vision
- Tachycardia, tachypnea, syncope
- Deep coma, convulsions, shock, and respiratory failure. –> Symptoms worsen as % CO increases.
What is the mechanism of toxic action of CO in the body?
binds tightly to the oxygen-binding sites of Hgb –> reducing the transfer of oxygen to tissues. *Organs with the highest oxygen demand affected: brain, heart, and kidneys.
If a patient with a possible CO exposure has a normal O2 saturation, are they likely okay?
Pulse oximetry cannot distinguish between CO-Hgb and O2-Hgb.
What is the treatment of CO exposure/overdose?
Removal from exposure and high-flow oxygen via face mask or ET tube
short period of time- risks ARDS.
hyperbaric chamber, pregnant women or pts with CO > 50%.
Will the CNS effects from CO overdose resolve with treatment?
Most resolve, but some subtle effects can last for years.
What are examples of organophosphate pesticides?
Farm- crop duster- Parathion, malathion, trichlorfon
What are examples of toxic nerve gases?
warfare: Soman, sarin, tabun-
What is the mechanism of toxic action of organophosphate pesticides and nerve gas?
Inhibition of AchE –> excess Ach at the motor end plate nicotinic receptors –> paralysis –> respiratory failure.
What is the clinical presentation of an overdose to organophosphate pesticides and nerve gas?
- Paralysis
- Miosis, blurry vision
- bradycardia
- Bronchial constriction, increased secretions
- N/v/d
- Relaxation of urinary sphincters, bladder wall contraction –> urinary frequency/urgency.
DUMBELS!-anticholinergic
How is organophosphate or nerve gas poisoning treated? How does this work?
Atropine –> blocks Ach receptors. *1-2mg every 5-15mins until atropine effects appear –> dry mouth, etc. Atropine qd up to a month may be required.
If atropine is not available, what other medication can be used to treat organophosphate or nerve gas poisoning?
- Pralidoxime (2PAM) –> regenerates AchE through hydrolysis of the phosphorylated Ach-organophosphate complex.
- Scopolamine –> Ach blocker.
What are the two groups of mushrooms that can elicit toxic overdose/poisoning?
- Rapid onset type: amanita muscaria
2. Delayed-onset type: amanita virosa and phalloides.
What is the mechanism of the toxic action of amanita muscaria mushroom poisoning on the body? What symptoms will this cause?
Potent Ach agonist –> rapid onset of DUMBELS sxs (diarrhea, urinary frequency, miosis/muscle weakness, bronchospasm, bradychardia, emesis, lacrimation, and salivation/sweating).
What is the treatment of Amanita muscaria mushroom poisoning?
Atropine (parenteral).
**Sxs typically resolve completely.
What is the MOA of amanita virosa or Amanita phalloides (death caps) poisoning?
binds to RNA polymerase in liver hepatocytes –> shuts down protein synthesis in the liver –> liver failure.
Sx N/V-, followed by hepatic and renal cellular injury.
What is the treatment of amanita virosa or amanita phalloides?
NONE
TX- liver transplant, BUT fatal.
What is the typical route of exposure for lead overdose?
Occupational or environmental -batteries, glass, pigment paints, plastics, and ceramics, old buildings, herbal medicines.
Respiratory (MC) and GI tracts.
>10 ug/dL.
How long does lead stay in the body?
Decades!! Distributes into RBCs and into the bone -> major storage site.
What are major sources of childhood lead poisoning?
Pica: eating non-foods.
What are the 2 general types of lead? Which is most commonly associated with overdose?
- MC-Inorganic lead: lead chloride, lead sulfide-
2. Organic lead: ethyl lead. Very rare ,banned for use in antiknock gasoline.
What is the mechanism of toxic action of lead in the body?
- inhibits Hgb synthesis –> severe anemia VIA: Lead binding to ALA-dehydratase enzyme
- inhibits pyramidine 5’ nucleotidase —> inhibiting the removal of RNA needed for a RBC to become mature —> basophilic stippling (stipple brush) of cells.
What symptoms occur with lead poisoning?
- CNS: anorexia, fatigue, headache, mental retardation, coma, and death.
- Spasmodic contraction of the smooth muscle of the intestines
- Gingival lead lines- blue green border of gums
- Lead lines in the hyperdense metaphysis, distal femur and distal/proximal tibia.
What is the treatment of lead poisoning?
- British Anti-Lewisite : BAL
- Ca EDTA
Chelation agents: grab, forms ring around, Water soluble, Easily excreted in the urine and/or bile., Low affinity for essential elements (calcium, zinc, etc