Emt: Brady Emergency Care 11Th Edition - Chapter 21 - Poisoning And Overdose Emergencies

Front 1

Define "poison."

Back 1

Any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or functions.

Front 2

Define "toxin."

Back 2

A poisonous substance secreted by bacteria, plants, or animals.

Front 3

Most cases involving poisoning are ____ and involve ____ ______.

Back 3

Accidental, young children

Front 4

What substances are often involved in accidental poisoning?

Back 4

Medications
Petroleum products
Cosmetics
Pesticides

Front 5

Which populations are effected most severely by poison?

Back 5

Those who are ill

The elderly

Front 6

What three factors determine the actual effect and extent of the damage caused by a poison?

Back 6

1) The nature of the poison
2) The poison's concentration
3) How the poison enters the body

Front 7

What are the four types of poisons, classified by how they enter the body?

Back 7

1) Ingested
2) Inhaled
3) Absorbed
4) Injected

Front 8

What are signs and symptoms of acetaminophen poisoning?

Back 8

Nausea and vomiting. Jaundice is a delayed sign. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms.

Front 9

What are the signs and symptoms of poisoning by acids and alkalis?

Back 9

Burns on or around the lips, burning in mouth, throat, and abdomen, vomiting.

Front 10

What are signs and symptoms of poisoning by antihistamines and cough or cold preparations?

Back 10

Hyperactivity or drowsiness, rapid pulse, flushed skin, dilated pupils.

Front 11

What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by aspirin?

Back 11

Delayed signs and symptoms, including ringing in the ears, deep and rapid breathing, bruising

Front 12

What are some signs and symptoms of food poisoning?

Back 12

Varies. Most include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever.

Front 13

What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by insecticides?

Back 13

Slow pulse, excessive salivation and sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, constricted pupils

Front 14

What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by petroleum products?

Back 14

Characteristic odor of breath, clothing, vomitus. If aspiration has occurred, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Front 15

What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by plants?

Back 15

Wide range of signs and symptoms, ranging from none to nausea and vomiting to cardiac arrest.

Front 16

Define "absorbed poisons."

Back 16

Poisons that are taken into the body through unbroken skin.

Front 17

Define "injected poisons."

Back 17

Poisons that are inserted through the skin, e.g via needle, snake fangs, insect stingers, etc.

Front 18

What are some of the most common injected poisons?

Back 18

Illicit drugs, venom injected by snakes or bees.

Front 19

What special consideration must you take when deciding how to provide ventilations for a poisoning patient?

Back 19

Keep in mind that, if the patient has ingested poisons, you may harm yourself by providing direct mouth-to-mouth ventilations.

Front 20

What are the seven key facts you must determine in order to treat for an ingested poison?

Back 20

1) What substance was involved?

2) When did the exposure occur?

3) How much was ingested?

4) Over how long a period did the ingestion occur?

5) What interventions has the patient, family, or well-meaning bystanders taken?

6) What is the patient's estimated weight?

7) What effects are being experienced due to the ingestion?

Front 21

Define "activated charcoal."

Back 21

A substance that adsorbs many poisons and prevents them from being absorbed by the body. Engineered to have many cracks and crevices to increase surface area that poisons can bind to.

Front 22

Define "poison"

Back 22

Any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or function.

Front 23

How many cases of poisoning does the US see every year?

Back 23

Roughly one million

Front 24

What are common signs of acetominophen poisoning?

Back 24

Nausea and vomiting

Jaundice (delayed sign)

Possibly no signs or symptoms

Front 25

What are common signs of aspirin poisoning?

Back 25

(Signs are delayed)

Ringing in the ears

Deep and rapid breathing

Bruising

Front 26

What are common signs and symptoms of food poisoning?

Back 26

Various types of signs and symptoms

Abdominal pain

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Fever

Front 27

What are common signs and symptoms of insecticide poisoning?

Back 27

Slow pulse

Excessive salivation/sweating

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Breathing difficulties

Constricted pupils

Front 28

What are the two main signs of petroleum poisoning?

Back 28

Characteristic odor of breath, clothing, vomitus

If aspiration occurred, coughing and difficulty breathing

Front 29

What are the four routes of poisoning?

Back 29

Ingestion

Inhalation

Absorption

Injection

Front 30

What are SIX major determinations to make during the scene assessment when responding to a poisoning call?

Back 30

1) What substance was involved and how much? (Get exact spelling -- check container)

2) When did exposure occur?

3) Period of exposure? (first time use vs. chronic user. If unknown, estimate the shortest and longest possible time)

4) What interventions have been done?

5) Patient's weight?

6) What effect is the patient experiencing?

Front 31

What is food poisoning?

Back 31

Bacterial growth when exposed to conditions -- commonly caused by raw meat left at room temperature

Front 32

What SIX major steps must be taken in the treatment of ingested poisons?

Back 32

1) Take standard precautions

2) Gather information

3) Consult medical control

4) If directed, administer charcoal

5) Position patient and have suction available

6) Ventilations if needed

Front 33

What are some trade names of activated charcoal?

Back 33

SuperChar, InstaChar, Actidose, LiquiChar

Front 34

What is Ipecac?

Back 34

Substance that causes vomiting in 15-20 minutes, additional doses will be required if no vomiting. Potential for aspiration.

Front 35

What medication is the national standard for the management of ingested poison?

Back 35

Activated charcoal

Front 36

What five steps must you take in order to properly administer charcoal.

Back 36

1) Consult medical control

2) Shake container thoroughly

3) Provide container with a straw

4) Delay in drinking -- shake and stir again

5) Record name, dose, and time

Front 37

What is the dosage for charcoal?

Back 37

1 gram/kg

Front 38

What are commonly inhaled gases that cause poisoning?

Back 38

Carbon Monoxide

Chlorine gas

Ammonia

Agricultural chemicals/pesticides

Carbon dioxide

Front 39

What should you assume when the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include either respiratory distress or signs and symptoms of shock?

Back 39

Assume that it's a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)