Toxicology (and other terrifying events) Flashcards
A bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and characterized by muscle spasms. Spasms typically begin in the jaw, and progress to the rest of the body.
Tetanus
A viral (lyssavirus) disease that causes encephalitis and hydrophobia. Differential symptoms include: violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, the result is virtually always death.
Rabies
All persons in a specific area present with the same symptoms at the same time.
Chemical exposure
Also known as rabbit fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Symptoms may include fever, skin ulcers, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Tularemia
An infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling, often becoming a painless ulcer with a black center. The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The intestinal form presents with diarrhea, abdominal pains, nausea, and vomiting.
Anthrax
Toxidrome: Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, AMS
Opiate OD
Opiate OD antidote (trade & generic name, route, class, dose).
Narcan, naloxone, opioid receptor antagonist, IN/ IV/ IM, 0.4-2 mg up to 8 mg
A 5-year-old ingested an unknown amount of chewable vitamins for children. The child is alert and asymptomatic. Which are you most concerned about?
A. The child was nauseated and vomited once
B. The child has been treated several times for toxic substance ingestion
C. The vitamin that was ingested contains iron
D. The child has been treated multiple times for injuries caused by accidents
C. The vitamin that was ingested contains iron.
Iron is a toxic substance that can lead to massive hemorrhage, shock, coma, and kidney failure. Iron poisoning is one of the most common toxic ingestion and one of the most deadly among children. Failure to diagnose and treat iron poisoning can have serious consequences including multi-organ failure and death.
There are (2) treatments for cyanide exposure. Name (1)
Hydroxocobalamin or sodium thiosulfate
A vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia bacteria spread by ticks. Presents with an erythema migrans (EM) rash.
Lyme disease
Physostigmine
Anticholinergic OD
Symptomatic TCA overdose antidote
NaHCO3
Anticholinergic OD- Sx
AMS, hot, dry, flushed, mydriasis
Beta-blocker overdose antidote is:
Glucagon
A patient presents with ascending paralysis. You are concerned about what toxin?
Clostridium botulinum toxin (botulism)
A patient presents with pustules in various stages primarily on their trunk. There are no pustules on the soles or palms. You suspect:
Chicken pox
The venom of this arachnoid is cytotoxic and hemolytic. The initial bite is painless but becomes increasingly painful. A blue discoloration forms after blister formation that progresses to necrosis and an ulcer formation.
Brown recluse spider
Tinnitus, hyperventilation are primary Sx of this type of overdose.
Aspirin (salicylic acid)
Yersinia pestis spreads through the lymphatic vessels from a flea bite until it reaches a lymph node, where it causes acute lymphadenitis. The bacteria secrete several toxins, one of which is known to cause beta-adrenergic blockade.
Plague
A patient is a suspected carrier of a biological agent. Which is not classified as a Category A biologic agent?
A. Bacillus anthracis (anthrax)
B. Francisella tularensis (tularemia)
C. Clostridium botulinum toxin (botulism)
D. Burkholderia pseudomallei (Melioidosis)
E. Yersinia petis (plague)
D. Burkholderia pseudomallei (Melioidosis)
A rare infectious viral disease prevalent in rural areas and spread by rodents. Initially starts with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to more severe respiratory disease.
Hantavirus
SLUDG EM symptoms evolve from what type of exposures (2)?
Organophosphate poisoning & Nerve agent exposure antidote
The venom of this arachnoid may result in systemic effects called latrodectism: severe muscle pain, abdominal cramps, vomiting, hyperhidrosis, and muscle rigidity.
Black widow
This snake’s venom is a, ____ -toxin which causes________.
Hemotoxin, coagulopathy
Organophosphate poisoning & Nerve agent exposure antidote
Atropine & 2 PAM Cl
A teenager ingested a bottle Tylenol. Which organ are you most concerned about?
Liver
This snake’s venom is a, ____ -toxin which causes________.
Neuro, paralysis/ respiratory failure
The response to radiation exposure includes (3):
Shielding, time, distance
The primary cause of death in primary acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is usually a result of:
The destruction of the bone marrow causing infection and hemorrhage.
- circulatory collapse
-encephalopathy
Odors associated with the following chemicals:
-cyanide
-phosgene
-hydrosulfide chloride
- bitter almonds
- newly mown hay
-rotten eggs
Bystanders report a patient experienced a LOC for ~ 2 minutes. They were responding appropriately during your initial assessment. During transport, the patient becomes lethargic. You should suspect:
Caused by
Epidural hemorrhage
- bleeding from the middle meningeal A.
Two elderly patients are nauseated and vomiting. They are weak and unable to walk. You noted the residence is extremely warm. Youa re concerned about:
CO poisoning
Cherry red skin is an extremely late sign and should not be relied upon.
Chemical agents include (4) and provide (1) example of each type:
- Vesicants or blister agents- mustard gas
- Choking or irritant agents- phosgene, chlorine
- Nerve agents- Vx, sarin
- Blood agents- cyanide
The FD brings a patient out of a burning apartment building. You are concerned about what type of poisoning? What is the antidote?
Cyanide; Hydroxocobalamin
