Toxicology

Question 1

What is toxicology?

Answer 1

The study of chemicals that cause adverse effects in living organisms.

Question 2

Define toxicants.

Answer 2

Substances that produce adverse biological effects, either chemical or physical.

Question 3

What are toxins?

Answer 3

Specific proteins produced by living organisms, often causing immediate effects.

Question 4

What are poisons?

Answer 4

Toxicants that cause immediate death or illness in small amounts.

Question 5

What is a toxidrome?

Answer 5

A syndrome caused by a dangerous level of toxins in the body, often from overdose.

Question 6

What is the difference between a drug and a poison?

Answer 6

A drug has a therapeutic effect in proper doses; a poison is toxic regardless of dose.

Question 7

What are the four routes of toxicity?

Answer 7

Ingestion, inhalation, absorption, injection.

Question 8

What happens during ingestion exposure?

Answer 8

Absorption in the stomach/small intestine; often from household agents.

Question 9

What happens during inhalation exposure?

Answer 9

Absorption through alveolar membrane; common agents include gases and vapors.

Question 10

What happens during absorption exposure?

Answer 10

Chemicals pass through skin capillaries, e.g., poison ivy.

Question 11

What happens during injection exposure?

Answer 11

Direct entry into bloodstream through bites or illicit drug use.

Question 12

Name 3 causes of food poisoning.

Answer 12

Bacteria, viruses, toxic chemicals.

Question 13

What are symptoms of food poisoning?

Answer 13

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flushing, respiratory distress.

Question 14

What is the pathophysiology of Salmonella?

Answer 14

Causes diarrhea, fever, cramps; onset 6 hrs to 6 days.

Question 15

What is the pathophysiology of Listeria?

Answer 15

Fever, nausea, convulsions; dangerous in elderly and immunocompromised.

Question 16

What is Toxoplasma?

Answer 16

Parasite from cat feces or contaminated food; harmful to fetuses and immunocompromised.

Question 17

What are signs of stimulant toxidrome?

Answer 17

Agitation, insomnia, dilated pupils, tachycardia, paranoia.

Question 18

Give examples of stimulant drugs.

Answer 18

Cocaine, amphetamines, diet aids.

Question 19

What are signs of narcotic toxidrome?

Answer 19

Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, drowsiness.

Question 20

Give examples of narcotics.

Answer 20

Heroin, morphine, fentanyl.

Question 21

What are signs of sympathomimetic toxidrome?

Answer 21

Hypertension, mydriasis, seizures, hyperthermia.

Question 22

Give examples of sympathomimetics.

Answer 22

Pseudoephedrine, methamphetamine.

Question 23

What are signs of sedative/hypnotic toxidrome?

Answer 23

Drowsiness, slurred speech, CNS depression, hypotension.

Question 24

Give examples of sedatives/hypnotics.

Answer 24

Diazepam, phenobarbital, midazolam.

Question 25

What are signs of cholinergic toxidrome?

Answer 25

Salivation, lacrimation, diarrhea, seizures.

Question 26

Give examples of cholinergics.

Answer 26

Malathion, parathion, sarin.

Question 27

What are signs of anticholinergic toxidrome?

Answer 27

Dry skin, mydriasis, tachycardia, hallucinations.

Question 28

Give examples of anticholinergics.

Answer 28

Atropine, scopolamine, antihistamines.

Question 29

What is drug abuse?

Answer 29

Use of drugs causing harm to user or others.

Question 30

Define habituation.

Answer 30

Psychological dependence on a drug.

Question 31

Define physical dependence.

Answer 31

Physiologic adaptation to a drug.

Question 32

Define psychological dependence.

Answer 32

Emotional craving to maintain well-being.

Question 33

Define tolerance.

Answer 33

Reduced effect of a drug with continued use.

Question 34

Define withdrawal syndrome.

Answer 34

Effects from abrupt cessation of a drug.

Question 35

Define drug addiction.

Answer 35

Compulsive drug use despite harm.

Question 36

Define potentiation.

Answer 36

One drug enhances the effect of another.

Question 37

Define synergism.

Answer 37

Combined drug effect > sum of individual effects.

Question 38

What is anaphylactic shock?

Answer 38

Severe IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction causing systemic collapse.

Question 39

What are early signs of anaphylaxis?

Answer 39

Throat tightness, wheezing, hives, hypotension.

Question 40

What are key vitals in anaphylactic shock?

Answer 40

↑ HR, ↓ BP, ↓ SpO₂, labored breathing.

Question 41

What is the emergency treatment for anaphylaxis?

Answer 41

Intramuscular epinephrine.

Question 42

What is the key concern in anaphylactic fatalities?

Answer 42

Loss of airway and distributive shock.

Question 43

How fast can anaphylaxis become fatal?

Answer 43

Within 1 hour of exposure.

Question 44

Which toxidromes show dilated pupils?

Answer 44

Stimulants, sympathomimetics, anticholinergics.

Question 45

Which toxidrome shows pinpoint pupils?

Answer 45

Narcotics.

Question 46

Which toxidrome shows increased secretions?

Answer 46

Cholinergic.

Question 47

Which toxidrome shows decreased secretions?

Answer 47

Anticholinergic.

Question 48

Which toxidromes cause CNS depression?

Answer 48

Narcotics and sedatives.

Question 49

What should you consider if multiple people are sick in one place?

Answer 49

Food or CO poisoning.

Question 50

What does CO poisoning do?

Answer 50

Displaces oxygen on hemoglobin, causing cellular suffocation.

Question 51

What is the only treatment for CO poisoning?

Answer 51

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Question 52

What symptoms may suggest CO poisoning?

Answer 52

Bounding pulse, cherry red skin, altered LOC.

Question 53

Why is weight important in toxicology?

Answer 53

Dose-response varies with body weight.

Question 54

What history questions are essential in overdose?

Answer 54

What, when, how much, other drugs, psychiatric care.

Question 55

What else should be assessed during poisoning history?

Answer 55

Vomiting, aspiration, reason for use, alcohol intake.