Poisoning and Substance Abuse - Chapter 11 Flashcards

Flashcards about Poisoning and Substance Abuse

Poison

A substance that causes illness or death when eaten, drunk, inhaled, injected, or absorbed in relatively small quantities.

Ingestion

Poison enters through mouth and is absorbed by digestive system.

Inhalation

Poison enters through mouth or nose and is absorbed by mucous membranes lining respiratory system.

Injection

Poison enters through a small opening in skin and spreads through circulatory system.

Absorption

Poison enters through intact skin and spreads through circulatory system.

Activated charcoal

Finely ground powder mixed with water that works by binding to poison, thereby preventing poison from being absorbed in patient’s digestive tract.

Signs and symptoms of Inhaled Poisons

Respiratory distress, dizziness, cough, headache, hoarseness, confusion, and chest pain.

Signs and symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Headache, nausea, disorientation, unconsciousness, and flu-like symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of Injected Poisons

Obvious injury site (bite or sting marks), tenderness, swelling, red streaks radiating from injection site, weakness, dizziness, localized pain, and itching.

Signs and symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock

Itching, hives, swelling, wheezing and severe respiratory distress, generalized weakness and unconsciousness.

Treatment for Snakebites

Keep patient calm and still. Have patient lie down and try to relax. Gently wash bite area with soap and water. If bite occurred on arm or leg, splint affected extremity. Treat patient carefully. Arrange for prompt transport to a hospital with antivenin.

Signs and symptoms of Absorbed Poisons

Traces of powder or liquid on skin, inflammation or redness of skin, chemical burns, rash, burning, itching, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and shock.

Four of most common nerve agents

Sarin (GB). Soman (GD). Tabun (GA). V agent (VX).

Additional symptoms of organophosphate poisoning

Shortness of breath, slow heart rate, muscle weakness, twitching, or paralysis, slurred speech, seizures and Loss of consciousness.

Signs and symptoms of Delirium Tremens (DTs)

Shaking, Restlessness, Confusion, Hallucinations, Gastrointestinal distress, Chest pain, Fever.

Signs of amphetamine use

Restlessness, Irritability, Talkativeness.

Signs and symptoms of opioid drug overdose:

Slow, difficult, shallow breathing, or no breathing, small or pinpoint pupils, weak pulse, low BP, blue nails and lips, drowsiness and disorientation, delirium, and coma.

Signs and symptoms of PCP overdose

Convulsions, coma, heart and lung failure, stroke.