Toxicology emergencies Flashcards
What is included in the initial assessment of someone who has had a toxic exposure?
ABC’s!
- patent airway
- breathing?
- do they have a pulse
Identify the toxin and length of exposure time
Contact poison control and medical direction according to local policy
Complete appropriate physical exams
Monitor vital signs closely
Upon admittance to the hospital, what therapy is commonly given right away?
IV therapy
What two methods do you NOT want to recommend in a person who has ingested a toxin?
Vomit
Give a cathartic
What is the antidote to Acetomenophine?
N- acetylcystein NAC
Heavy metal toxicity is usually due to what kind of exposure?
occupational.
What is the antidote to Amphetamines/ cocaine?
Benzodiazepines
What is the antidote for aspiring overdose?
alkalization of urine with IV sodium bicarb, hemodialysis
What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
Flumazenil
What is the antidote for Beta- blockers?
Glucagon, IV calcium, ventricular pacing
What is the antidote for calcium channel blockers?
Glucagon, IV calcium, ventricular pacing
What is the antidote for carbon monoxide?
100% oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen
What is the antidote for ethylene glycol (anti-freeze)?
ethanol, hemodialysis
What is the antidote for Warfarin (Coumadin)?
Vitamin K
What is the antidote for Heparin?
Protamine sulfate
What is the antidote for insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents?
Glucagon, IV glucose
What is the antidote for Narcotic overdose?
Nalaxone (not to be confused with Naltrexone)
What is the antidote for organophosphates (cholinergic)
Atropine
What do you give is a patient is going through intense alcohol withdrawal with seizures?
alcohol
What is added to the IV therapy if the person is a suspect alcoholic?
thiamine
What is included in the management of ingested toxins
- Do NOT induce vomiting
- Contact poison control
- Prevent aspiration
- Administer fluids and drugs
- use of D50W (Glucose), Naloxone, and thiamine
What are the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? (4)
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or other altered mental status
- Tachypnea
Syndromes seen as a consequence of specific toxins may be referred to as what?
toxidromes
What are the symptoms or organophosphate overdose?
- Sweating
- Constricted pupils
- lacrimation
- excessive salivation
- wheezing
- cramps
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- tenesmus,
- bradycardia or tachycardia
- hypotension or hypertension
- blurred vision
- Striated muscle: cramps, weakness, twitching, paralysis, respiratory failure, cyanosis
- Sympathetic ganglia: tachycardia, elevated blood pressure
- CNS effects: anxiety, restlessness, ataxia, seizures, insomnia, coma, absent reflexes,
