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39 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Define "poison."
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Any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or functions.
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Define "toxin."
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A poisonous substance secreted by bacteria, plants, or animals.
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Most cases involving poisoning are ____ and involve ____ ______.
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Accidental, young children
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What substances are often involved in accidental poisoning?
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Medications
Petroleum products Cosmetics Pesticides |
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Which populations are effected most severely by poison?
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Those who are ill
The elderly |
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What three factors determine the actual effect and extent of the damage caused by a poison?
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1) The nature of the poison
2) The poison's concentration 3) How the poison enters the body |
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What are the four types of poisons, classified by how they enter the body?
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1) Ingested
2) Inhaled 3) Absorbed 4) Injected |
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What are signs and symptoms of acetaminophen poisoning?
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Nausea and vomiting. Jaundice is a delayed sign. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms.
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What are the signs and symptoms of poisoning by acids and alkalis?
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Burns on or around the lips, burning in mouth, throat, and abdomen, vomiting.
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What are signs and symptoms of poisoning by antihistamines and cough or cold preparations?
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Hyperactivity or drowsiness, rapid pulse, flushed skin, dilated pupils.
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What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by aspirin?
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Delayed signs and symptoms, including ringing in the ears, deep and rapid breathing, bruising
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What are some signs and symptoms of food poisoning?
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Varies. Most include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever.
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What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by insecticides?
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Slow pulse, excessive salivation and sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, constricted pupils
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What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by petroleum products?
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Characteristic odor of breath, clothing, vomitus. If aspiration has occurred, coughing and difficulty breathing.
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What are some signs and symptoms of poisoning by plants?
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Wide range of signs and symptoms, ranging from none to nausea and vomiting to cardiac arrest.
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Define "absorbed poisons."
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Poisons that are taken into the body through unbroken skin.
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Define "injected poisons."
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Poisons that are inserted through the skin, e.g via needle, snake fangs, insect stingers, etc.
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What are some of the most common injected poisons?
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Illicit drugs, venom injected by snakes or bees.
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What special consideration must you take when deciding how to provide ventilations for a poisoning patient?
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Keep in mind that, if the patient has ingested poisons, you may harm yourself by providing direct mouth-to-mouth ventilations.
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What are the seven key facts you must determine in order to treat for an ingested poison?
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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? |
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Define "activated charcoal."
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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.
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Define "poison"
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Any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or function.
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How many cases of poisoning does the US see every year?
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Roughly one million
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What are common signs of acetominophen poisoning?
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Nausea and vomiting
Jaundice (delayed sign) Possibly no signs or symptoms |
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What are common signs of aspirin poisoning?
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(Signs are delayed)
Ringing in the ears Deep and rapid breathing Bruising |
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What are common signs and symptoms of food poisoning?
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Various types of signs and symptoms
Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Fever |
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What are common signs and symptoms of insecticide poisoning?
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Slow pulse
Excessive salivation/sweating Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Breathing difficulties Constricted pupils |
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What are the two main signs of petroleum poisoning?
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Characteristic odor of breath, clothing, vomitus
If aspiration occurred, coughing and difficulty breathing |
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What are the four routes of poisoning?
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Ingestion
Inhalation Absorption Injection |
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What are SIX major determinations to make during the scene assessment when responding to a poisoning call?
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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? |
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What is food poisoning?
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Bacterial growth when exposed to conditions -- commonly caused by raw meat left at room temperature
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What SIX major steps must be taken in the treatment of ingested poisons?
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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 |
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What are some trade names of activated charcoal?
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SuperChar, InstaChar, Actidose, LiquiChar
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What is Ipecac?
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Substance that causes vomiting in 15-20 minutes, additional doses will be required if no vomiting. Potential for aspiration.
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What medication is the national standard for the management of ingested poison?
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Activated charcoal
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What five steps must you take in order to properly administer charcoal.
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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 |
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What is the dosage for charcoal?
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1 gram/kg
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What are commonly inhaled gases that cause poisoning?
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Carbon Monoxide
Chlorine gas Ammonia Agricultural chemicals/pesticides Carbon dioxide |
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What should you assume when the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include either respiratory distress or signs and symptoms of shock?
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Assume that it's a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
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