Toxins and poisoning

Question 1

What are the signs of corrosive poisoning

Answer 1

odynophagia, drooling, dysphagia, intraoral ulceration, vomiting, hematemsis, stridor- respiratory distress

Question 2

what are corrosives?

Answer 2

acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents

Question 3

what are examples of alkaline corrosives? How do they act? are they more or less potent than acid corrosives?

Answer 3

toilet bowl clearner, drain cleaner, rust remover
act via liquefactive necrosis
extremely toxic- cause esophageal perforation with even small quantities of ingestion

Question 4

What is the most urgent concern after corrosive ingestion?

Answer 4

airway compromise- need direct visualization in someone with clear ingestion history

Question 5

How does ethylene glycol poisoning present?

Answer 5

typical presentation of ingestion of all alcohols- depressed mental status–> nausea+ vomiting–>seizure and coma

Question 6

What are the metabolic consequences of alcohol poisoning

Answer 6

severe metabolic acidosis
hypocalcemia- from toxic metabolites causing calcium oxalate crystals–>deposited anywhere–> renal failure is a late sign

Question 7

What is the clinical presentation of glycophosphate-containing weed killer

Answer 7

chemical conjunctivities, cough with inhalation, vomiting. not corrosive

Question 8

How does organophosphate poisoning present?

Answer 8

excess acetylcholine- cholinergic symptoms
S-salivation
L-lacrimation
U-urination
D-defacation
G-GI upset
E-emesis
Tachypena, bradycardia, pupillary constriction,