Toxicology Principles in the Management of Acute Poisonings

Vocabulary flashcards based on toxicology principles and acute poisoning management.

Accidental exposure to chemicals resulting in poisonings, accounting for approximately 84% of cases.

Unintentional Exposure

Deliberate ingestion or exposure to chemicals, accounting for less than 20% of reported poisonings, resulting in over 900 deaths.

Intentional Exposure

Medicines used to relieve pain, reported as the most involved substance class in human exposures (11.7%).

Analgesics

Process of reducing the absorption of a toxicant, often through washing with soap and water.

Decontamination

Procedure used to remove toxic agents from the stomach within 1-2 hours of ingestion, not used for corrosive substances.

Gastric Lavage

Substance used to limit further absorption of toxins if administered within one to two hours of ingestion.

Activated Charcoal

Clinical treatment to counteract the effects of poisons, developed based on understanding toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics.

Antidote

Management strategy that uses interactions with chemicals to reduce the effects of poisons.

Chemical Antagonism

A highly toxic gas that requires specific treatment such as the administration of oxygen.

Carbon Monoxide

Toxic substances like lead and iron that have specific antidotes such as DMSA or EDTA.

Heavy Metals