Poisoning and Overdose Flashcards

Question

Activated Charcoal

Answer 1

• Works through adsorption, allowing substances to attach to its surface • Not an antidote: prevents or reduces amount of poison absorbed by body

Answer 2

• Think about your own home. Is it safe for a small child? • Are there potential poisons within three feet of the floor, or behind unlocked doors? • Are there household cleaners that look like juices and drinks familiar to children • Can flavored children’s medications be mistaken for candy? • What sense does a small child typically use to identify things?

Answer 3

``` • Many EMS agencies are involved in educating the public to the dangers of child poisoning • Child-proofing homes • Mr. Yuk ```

Answer 4

``` • Common types – Carbon monoxide – Ammonia – Chlorine – Agricultural chemicals and pesticides – Carbon dioxide ```

Answer 5

* Approach scene with caution * Protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus may be required * If not trained or equipped, call for additional resources

Answer 6

* Difficulty breathing * Chest pain * Coughing * Hoarseness * Headache, confusion, altered mental status * Seizures

Answer 7

* What substance is involved (exact name)? * When did exposure occur? * Over how long did exposure occur? * What interventions has anyone taken? * Remove patient? * Ventilate area? * What effects is patient experiencing?

Answer 8

``` • Move patient from unsafe environment using trained and equipped personnel • Open airway; provide high flow oxygen • History, physical exam, vital signs • Transport with all containers, bottles, and labels • Ongoing assessment en route ```

Answer 9

• Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas created by combustion • Can be caused by improper venting of fireplaces, portable heaters, generators • Common cause of death during winter and power outages

Answer 10

* Headache (band around head) * Dizziness/nausea * Breathing difficulty * Cyanosis * May be multiple patients with similar symptoms in confined area together

Answer 11

• Some fire/EMS systems have monitoring devices that allow crews to determine CO exposure levels in the field

Answer 12

• Public education programs should encourage people to have both smoke and CO detectors in their homes to reduce the risk of injury and death

Answer 13

• High flow oxygen is appropriate treatment, but CO bonds to red blood cells much more strongly than oxygen does • Can take several hours or days to “wash” CO from bloodstream

Answer 14

• Smoke from burning materials can contain poisonous and toxic substances, including CO, ammonia, chlorine, cyanide • Substances can irritate skin and eyes, damage lungs, and progress to respiratory or cardiac arrest

Answer 15

* Difficulty breathing * Coughing * “Smoky” or chemical smell on breath * Black (carbon) residue in mouth, nose or sputum * Singed nasal or facial hair

Answer 16

• Move patient to safe area • Maintain airway; provide high flow oxygen • Monitor patient closely—airway burns may lead to swelling of airway

Answer 17

* Method of suicide started in Japan and becoming more common in the U.S. * Mix two easily-obtained chemicals to release hydrogen sulfide gas * Commonly released inside enclosed space such as a car * Exposure to fumes may injure EMS personnel * Warning note may be left on vehicle, but this is not assured * May need to treat first as a hazmat scene

Answer 18

* Can be absorbed through skin * May or may not cause damage to skin * Patient may require decontamination prior to treatment

Answer 19

* Assess for immediate life threats * History, physical exam, vital signs * Brush off powder, then irrigate * Irrigate skin and eyes for at least 20 minutes and during transport * Transport with all containers * Ongoing assessment en route

Answer 20

Excellent resource • Information on poisons, signs and symptoms, and treatments • Follow local protocol for contact procedures

Answer 21

``` • See many patients whose conditions are caused either directly or indirectly by alcohol or substance abuse • Abuse of alcohol and other drugs crosses all geographic and economic boundaries ```

Answer 22

• Potent drug affects central nervous system • Can be addictive • Emergencies may result from recent consumption or years of abuse • Treat patients as any others • Abuse can lead to or worsen other medical conditions

Answer 23

• Alcohol often consumed with other drugs, which can result in a serious medical emergency • Impaired patients can be uncooperative or combative • Contact law enforcement if safety concern

Answer 24

* Many medical conditions mimic alcohol intoxication * Intoxicated patients may also have medical problems * All patients receive full assessment regardless of suspicion of intoxication

Answer 25

* Alcohol odor on breath * Unsteady on feet * Slurred, rambling speech * Flushed, complaining of being warm * Nausea/vomiting * Poor coordination * Blurred vision * Confusion/altered mental status

Answer 26

``` • Abrupt cessation of drinking may cause some alcoholics to suffer from delirium tremens (DTs) • Can be serious, resulting in tremors, hallucinations, and seizures ```

Answer 27

* Confusion and restlessness * Unusual behavior, demonstrating “insane” behavior * Hallucinations, gross tremor of hands, profuse sweating * Seizures

Answer 28

* Vomiting common; standard precautions are essential * Keep suction ready * Stay alert for airway and respiratory problems * Monitor vital signs * Gather history from patient, bystanders * Stay alert for seizures

Answer 29

• Any chemical substance taken for other than therapeutic (medical) reasons • Includes illicit drugs, prescription medications, industrial chemicals

Answer 30

* Stimulants that affect the nervous system * Cocaine * Amphetamines * May be snorted, smoked, or injected Stimulants such as amphetamines that affect the central nervous system to excite the user.

Answer 31

* Central nervous system depressants * Barbiturates * Rohypnol (Roofies) * GHB depressants, such as barbiturates, that depress the CNS, which are often used to bring on a more relaxed state..

Answer 32

• Used to relieve pain or help with sleep • Opiates – Heroin, codeine, morphine • Oxycodone Opiate Triad: Overdose characterized by coma, pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression (slow shallow reps). a class of drugs that affect the nervous system and change many normal body activities. Their legal use if for the relief of pain. Illicit use is to produce an intense state of relaxation and a feeling of well being.

Answer 33

mind affecting or mind altering drugs that act on the CNS to produce excitement and distortion of perceptions. • Create intense state of excitement and distorted perception • LSD, PCP, XTC

Answer 34

vaporizing compounds, such as cleaning fluid,that are berthed in by the abuser to produce a "high" * Produce vapors that are inhaled * Initial “rush,” then can act as central nervous system depressant

Answer 35

• May be difficult – Patient’s level of consciousness – Patient may have taken more than one type of drug • Patient may be uncooperative or combative • Be aware of a possibility of contaminated needles and the presence of chemicals

Answer 36

* Sluggishness, poor coordination | * Decreased pulse and respirations

Answer 37

* Excitement, restlessness * Increased pulse and respirations * Sweating * Hyperthermia * No sleep for a long time, possibly days

Answer 38

* Lethargy (patient very sleepy) * Pinpoint pupils * Cool skin * Respiratory depression * Coma

Answer 39

* Rapid pulse * Dilated pupils * Flushed face * Seeing or hearing things

Answer 40

* Dazed/disoriented * Swollen membranes in nose or mouth * Numbness or tingling sensation inside head * Changes in heart rhythm * May be residue of chemical on face or in bag

Answer 41

* Be aware of possible airway problems and respiratory distress * Provide oxygen and assist respirations as needed * Treat for shock * Talk to patient to keep them calm and cooperative * Perform physical exam * Look for evidence of injection sites (“track marks” * Transport as soon as possible * Consult with medical control on further treatment * Follow local protocol concerning consideration for restraint

Answer 42

• Perform primary assessment and immediately treat life-threatening problems. Ensure an open airway. Administer high-concentration oxygen if the poison was inhaled or injected.

Answer 43

• Perform a history and physical exam, including baseline vital signs. Find out if the poison was ingested, inhaled, absorbed, or injected; what substance was involved; how much poison was taken in, when, and over how long a period; what interventions others have already done; and what effects the patient experienced.

Answer 44

• Consult medical direction. As directed, administer activated charcoal, water, or milk for ingested poisons. • Remove patient who has inhaled poison from the environment and administer high concentration oxygen; remove poisons from skin by brushing off or diluting.

Answer 45

• Transport patient with all containers, bottles, and labels from substance. • Reassess patient en route. • Carefully document all information about poisoning, interventions, and patient’s responses.

Answer 46

* Safety is always the first concern when dealing with a poisoning or substance abuse patient. * Poisonings are generally classified by route of exposure. Effects vary greatly, depending upon type of poison and method of entrance into body.

Answer 47

* EMTs must use thorough assessment, including scene clues, to help identify the nature and severity of poisoning. * Poison control centers offer a wealth of resources to assist in assessment and treatment of poisoning patient.

Answer 48

* Alcohol is a common underlying issue with patients. In some patients it may be the most significant problem. * The effects of substance abuse can vary greatly, based on the type of substance. Determining the type of drug ingested can shed light on effects to come.

Answer 49

• What are potential risks to the responder on a poisoning or overdose call? • What are the routes of entry into the body? • What are some things EMS can do to prevent poisonings, especially in children?

Answer 50

• A farmer calls 911 because one of his farm hands has tried to clean up spilled pesticide powder with his hands. On arrival, you find that the patient insists he has brushed all the powder off, feels fine, and doesn’t need to go to the hospital.

Answer 51

``` • As he talks, he continues to make brushing motions at his jeans on which you can see the marks of a powdery residue. How do you manage the situation? ```

Answer 52

- Perform a primary assessment - BLS as needed - Be alert for airways problems - Treat for Shock - Talk to pt & gain his confidence - Perform physical exam to assess for injury - assess carefully for head injury - look for gross tissue damage on extremities (tracks) - protect the pt from self injury - transport ASAP - contact medical directions according to protocol - perform reassessment

Answer 53

thinning down or weakening by mixing with something else. Ingested poisons are sometimes diluted by drinking water or milk

Answer 54

a substance that will neutralize the poison or its effects

Poisoning and Overdose Flashcards

(78 cards)