April 23 109 Lecture Flashcards
Occurs when any substance interferes with normal body functions after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed.
Poisoning
Who are prone to poisoning?
Infants and toddlers
Why are infants and toddlers prone to poisoning?
Because they explore their environment through oral experimentation, because their sense of taste is not discriminating.
2 major types of poisoning
- Product that never meant to be ingested or inhaled
- Products that can be ingested in small quantities but can be harmful if ingested in large amounts
Example of poisonous products that are never meant to be ingested or inhaled.
✔ shampoo
✔ paint thinner
✔ pesticides
✔ houseplants (leaves)
✔ carbon monoxide
Example of Products that can be ingested in small quantities but can be harmful if ingested in large amounts
✔ drugs/ medicine
✔ medicinal herbs
✔ alcohol
✔ bacterial toxins (food poisoning for e.g. E, Coli)
✔ heavy metals (lead paint)
✔ venom (animal, insects)
Causative agent of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Staphylococcal enterotoxin produced by strains of staphylococcus aureus
Incubation period of staphylococcal Food poisoning
1 - 7 hours
Period of communicability of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Carriers may contaminate food as long as they harbor that organism
Mode of transmission of staphylococcal Food poisoning
Ingestion of contaminated food
Assessment for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
✔ severe vomiting and diarrhea
✔ abdominal cramping
✔ excessive salivation
✔ Nausea within 2-6 hours of eating
Therapeutic management for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
Intensive supportive therapy with fluid and electrolyte replacement
Effective drug against staphylococcus
cefotaxime
Prevention for Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
proper refrigeration of food
A poisoning that occurs most commonly in children between the ages 2 and 3 years and in all socioeconomic groups
Poisoning as an unintentional injury
Poisoning as an unintentional injury commonly occurs in what age group?
Between the ages 2 and 3 years and in all socioeconomic groups
Common agents in poisoning as an unintentional injury
✔ soap
✔ cosmetics
✔ detergents or cleaners
✔ plants
What is the best method to deactivate a swallowed poison?
Administration of activated charcoal (orally or by way of an NG tube)
Drug most frequently involved in childhood poisoning today
Acetaminophen Poisoning
Acetaminophen when taken in large doses can cause?
Liver destruction
What will the child experience immediately after ingestion in acetaminophen poisoning?
✔ anorexia
✔ nausea
✔ vomiting
Diagnostic test for acetaminophen poisoning
✔ serum aspartate transaminase (AST/ SGOT) - enzyme made by liver cells
✔ serum alanine transaminase (ALT/ SGPT) - present in liver and heart cells
✔ liver enzymes
Therapeutic Management for acetaminophen poisoning
✔ Activated charcoal - given 1 to 4 hours after consuming
✔ Acetylcysteine -antidote
✔ Continue to observe for jaundice and tenderness over the liver
✔ Assess AST and ALT levels
Loading dose
140 mg/ kg