a poison is any substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed,

8/14/2019 A Poison is Any Substance That, When Ingested, Inhaled, Absorbed,

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Poisoning


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, , ,A poison is any substance that when ingested inhaled, ,absorbed applied to the skin or produced within the

,body in relatively small amounts injures the body by

.its chemical action Poisoning from inhalation and,ingestion of toxic materials both intentional and,unintentional constitutes a major hazard and an

.emergency situation Emergency treatments is initiated:with the following goals

To remove or inactivate the poison before it isabsorbed To provide supportive care in maintaining vital organsystems To administer a specific antidote to neutralize a

specific poison To implement treatment that hastens the elimination of

the absorbed poison


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ypes

Poisoning


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Ingested (swallowed) poisoningChemicals that are swallowed may harm thedigestive tract, or cause more widespread damage ifthey enter the bloodstream and are transported toother parts of the body. Swallowed poisons may becorrosive. Corrosive poisons include alkaline andacid agents that can cause tissue destruction aftercoming contact into mucous membranes. Alkaline products include lye, drain cleaners, toilet bowl

cleaners, bleach, nonphosphate detergents, ovencleaners, and button batteries. Efforts are made todetermine what substance was ingested ; the amount;the time since ingestion; signs and symptoms; such aspain or burning sensation, any evidence of redness orburn in the mouth or throat, pain in swallowing or inan inability to swallow, vomiting or drooling; ageand weight of the patient; and the pertinent health

history.

RECOGNITION

Depends on the poison, but there may

be:Vomiting, sometimes bloodstained.Impaired consciousness.Pain or burning sensation.Empty containers in the vicinity.History of ingestion/exposure.


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ar on Monox ePoisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning mayoccur as a result of industrial orhousehold incidents or attemptedsuicide. Carbon monoxide exertsits toxic effect by binding tocirculating hemoglobin andthereby reducing the oxygen-capacity of the blood. Hemoglobinadsorbs carbon monoxide 200

times more readily than it absorbsoxygen.


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Skin Contaminationpoisoning (Chemical Burns)

The severity ofchemical burn isdetermined by the

,mechanism of actionsthe penetrating

strength and the,concentration andthe amount and

duration of exposureof the skin to the

.chemical


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Food Poisoning Food poising is a suddenillness that occurs after

ingestion of contaminated food.or drink The to treatment is

determining the source and

.type of food poisoning If thesuspected food should bebrought to the medicalfacility and a historyobtained from the patient or

.family

Example.

,otulism a form of food poisoning is causedby Clostridium botulinum, an obligately

anaerobic , endospore forming gram-positiverod found in soil and many fresh watersediments.


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Inhaled GasesInhaling chemical fumes orsprays is potentially harmfuland may lead to breathing

problems, confusion, andcollapse. Chlorine gas is

stored at swimming poolsand is hazardous if released.Poisonous may also bereleased in the chemicalreaction that occurs whendifferent cleaning productare used together.

RECOGNITION:Depends on the gas but there may be

Headache

,Noisy distressed breathingConfusing Impaired consciousness


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Eye

Many chemicals both liquids andgases used in thehome and the

workplace canirritate the eyes. Themembranes coveringthe eye absorbchemicals rapidly,and this can lead todamage to the eyeswithin minutes of achemical being in

RECOGNITION:There may be

.Intense pain in the eyeInability to open the injured

.eyeRedness and swelling around the

.eye .Copious watering of the eye


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PoisoningPoisoningcan resultfrom anoverdose of

eitherprescribeddrug or drugsthat arebought overthe counter.It can also becaused bydrug abuse or


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Category Drug Effects of poisoning

Painkillers Aspirin( )swallowed

, ,Upper abdominal pain nausea and vomiting ringing in theears sighing when breathing confusion and delirium

.dizziness

Paracetamol( )swallowed

, , ,Little effect at first but abdominal pain nausea andvomiting may develop irreversible liver damage may occur

(within 3 days malnourishment and alcohol increase the) .risk

Nervous systemdepressants and

tranquillisers

Barbiturates andbenzodiazepines

( )swallowed

,Lethargy and sleepiness leading to unconsciousness , ,shallow breathing weak irregular or abnormally slow or

.fast pulse

Stimulants andhallucinogens

Amphetamines(including

)ecstasyAnd LSD

( );swallowedcocaine

( )inhaled

, ,Excitable hyperactive behaviour wildness and frenzy sweating tremor of the hands hallucinations in which

.the casualty may claim to hear voice or see things

Narcotics ,Morphine heroin(commonly)injected

Small pupils ,sluggishness and confusion possibly leading , ,to unconsciousness slow shallow breathing which may stop , .altogether needle marks which may be infected

Solvents ,Glue lighter( )fuel inhaled

Nausea and vomiting ,headaches hallucinations possibly , .unconsciousness rarely cardiac arrest

RECOGNITION


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Alcohol PoisoningRecognitionThere may be:

A strong smell of alcohol.

Empty bottles or cans.

Impaired consciousness: thecasualty may respond if roused,but will quickly relapse.

Flushed and moist face.

Deep, noisy breathing.

Full, bounding pulse.

Unconsciousness.In the later stages of unconsciousness:

Dry, bloated appearance to the face.

Shallow breathing. Weak, rapid pulse.

Dilated pupils that react poorly tolight.

Alcohol (chemical name, ethanol)is a drug that depresses theactivity of the central nervoussystem- in particular, the brain.Prolonged or excessive intake canseverely impair all physical and

mental functions, and the personmay sink into deepunconsciousness.

There are several risks to the casualtyfrom alcohol poisoning:

A n u n co n s cio u s ca su a lty risk s.in h a lin g a n d ch o kin g o n vo m it

( )A lcoh ol w id en s d ilate s th e b loo d.v e sse ls

A ca su a lty m a y w h o sm e lls o f alcoho l m ay be m isd iag no sed an d

n o t re ce ive a p p ro p ria te tre a tm e n tfo r a n u n d erly in g ca u se o f

a poison is any substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed,

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