Ingested Poisons

Ingested poisons examples

Liquids, household cleaners, contaminated food, plants, and drugs.

Typical cause of ingested poisoning in children versus adults

Usually accidental in children and, except for contaminated food, deliberate in adults.

Common victims of plant poisonings

Children.

Sign of acid or alkaline poison ingestion

Often cause burns around the mouth.

General approach to signs and symptoms of ingested poison

Treat signs and symptoms, and notify the poison center and medical control.

Precaution for a poisoned patient with altered mental status

Protect the patient from aspirating if he or she vomits.

Consideration for unabsorbed poison in the GI tract

Consider whether you can safely and effectively prevent its absorption.

EMS treatment for some ingested toxins

Some systems allow EMTs to administer activated charcoal by mouth.

Required preparedness for opioid, sedative, or barbiturate ingestion

Be prepared to provide aggressive ventilatory support and CPR, as these can cause CNS depression and slow breathing