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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What are the four common presentations of hydrocarbon exposure?
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1 - Accidental ingestion (children)
2 - Intentional inhalation (huffing) 3 - Accidental inhalation (workplace) 4 - Suicide attempt |
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What are hydrocarbons?
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A diverse group of organic compounds aka petroleum distillates contain hydrogen and carbon.
They can be straight chain, branched, benzene ring and/or have halogens attached. |
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What are the four characteristics of hydrocarbons?
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-Viscosity (how easily it spreads)
-Volatility (how easily it turns into a gas) -Surface tension (how easily it collects on a surface) -Chemical side change (increase toxicity) |
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What are some common hydrocarbons?
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Furniture polish
Gasoline Butane Toluene Kerosene Terpentine Chloroform Freon |
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Where do hydrocarbons cause toxicity?
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Lungs
CNS Heart |
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How do hydrocarbons affect the lungs?
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Aspiration leads to respiratory failure through multiple mechanisms:
-causes bronchospasm and inflammation -displaces O2 (asphyxiant) -injures alveoli/capilleries (alveolitis, microabscesses) -inhibit surfactant function (alveolar collapse) |
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How do hydrocarbons affect the CNS?
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HC's diffuse through the pulmonary alveoli and are absorbed.
Acutely: rapid onset/recovery of euphoria, disinhibition, confusion, obtundation Chronically: peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar degeneration, neuropsych disorders, encephalopathy, dementia |
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How do hydrocarbons affect the heart?
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Thought to produce myocardial sensitization to catecholamines
This predisposes abusers to dysrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction |
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What other effects can hydrocarbons have?
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RTA
Leukemia Carbon monoxoide poisoning Hepatix necrosis Chemical burns |
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What is the most fatal hydrocarbon ingestion scenario?
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A childhood ingestion of hydrocarbons
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What is the aphorism regarding GI ingestion of hydrocarbons?
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"The safest place in the body for hydrocarbons is the duodenum"
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How do hydrocarbons affect the skin?
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They can cause burns
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How is dermal hydrocarbon exposure managed?
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Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin copiously with soap and lukewarm water
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How is GI hydrocarbon exposure managed?
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Generally should leave it there, except if there are CHAMP additives:
Camphor - seizures Halogenated HC - dysrhythmias/hepatotoxicity Aromatic HC - bone marrow suppression/cancer Metals (arsenic, murcury & lead) Pesticides - cholinergic crises/seizures/resp depression |
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How should patients be observed after a hydrocarbon ingestion/inhalation?
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4-6 hours of cardiorespiratory monitoring for asymptomatic patients. Admit symptomatic.
Consider repeat chest radiographs and ABG's |