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Emergency Medicine
Toxicology
62
Science
Graduate
07/08/2015

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
____ involved patients younger than 18 years of age
Definition

52%

of these 50% are children between 1-5 yo

Term
Some authors currently list poisoning as the ___ leading cause of death in the US
Definition
3rd
Term
_____ of all adult poisonings are intentional
Definition
80-90%
Term
____ of poisonings are in the home
Definition
92%
Term
A ____ is an event where a living organism is exposed to a chemical that adversely affects the functioning of that organism
Definition
poisoning
Term
poisoning --> exposure to the toxin may be...
Definition

occupational

environmental

recreational

medicinal

Term
poisoning may result from varied portals of entry including:
Definition

inhalation

injection

ingestion

cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

Term
historically most poisonings are secondary to...
Definition
tasting or swallowing
Term
Resuscitation concepts
Definition

ABCs come first

next: B/P, rectal temp, O2 saturation, & hypoglycemia

antidotes

Term
___ are rarely needed in the early management
Definition
antidotes
Term
the prime exception of antidotes rarely needed in the early management is....
Definition

cyanide poisoning

 

Term
common causes of an altered mental status
Definition

hypoxia (O2)

opioid toxicity

hypoglycemia

Wernicke's encephalitis (coma cocktail)

Term
Coma Cocktail
Definition

D-dextrose

O- oxygen

N- narcan

T- thiamine

Term

Resuscitation - Glucose

 

Definition

50 ml of D50W in adults 

1 gm/kg in children

Term
Narcan - resuscitation
Definition

0.1-2.0 mg

consider restraints prior to admin

Term
thiamine - resuscitation
Definition

100 mg IV

indicated if you think there is a history of ETOH/malnutrition

Term
History : ER Diagnosis
Definition
nNumber of exposed persons and the type, amount, and route of exposure are essential
nPatient’s intent must be ascertained
nClinicians must be aware of the inherent inaccuracies in these types of histories

nPatient’s motivation, potential for secondary gain, and perceived risk of
arrest all may affect the history
Term
toxicology history that should be obtained
Definition
oWhere the patient was found
oEmpty pill bottles or containers nearby
oSmells or unusual materials in the home
oOccupation of the person
oPresence of a suicide note

oAll “home remedies” used
Term
Medical history summary for toxicology
Definition
oWhat was taken and how?
oWhen was it taken?
oHow much was taken?
oWhy was it taken?
oIs this a co-ingestion?
oWas this a suicide attempt or gesture?

oWas this your medication or someone else's?
Term
Toxicologic PE : comprehensive PE must be performed.....
Definition
on a fully undressed patient
Term
Toxicologic PE : assess general appearance
Definition

agitation

confusion

obtundation should be noted

Term
Toxicologic PE : skin must be examined for....
Definition

cyanosis or flushing

excessive diaphoresis or dryness

signs of injury or injection

ulcers or bullae

bruising may be a cluse as to duration of unconsciousness, as well as coagulopathy or trauma

Term
Toxicologic PE : Examine the eyes for:
Definition

pupil size

reactivity

nystagmus

dysconjugate gaze (completely dissociated)

excessive lacrimation (organophosphates)

hypersalivation or excessive dryness should be noted in the oropharynx

Term
Toxicologic PE : baseline & subsequent vital signs
Definition

heart must be assessed for : rhythm, rate, regularity

evaluate lungs for bronchorrhea or wheezing

bowel sounds, urinary retention, abd tenderness or rigidity

Term
extremities must be evaluated for :
Definition

tremor or fasciculation

as well as cranial nerves, reflexes, resting muscle tone, coordination, cognition, and ability to ambulate all must be assessed

Term
a collection of S&S that are observed after an exposure to a substance ( a toxic "fingerprint")
Definition
toxidrome
Term
Cholinergic toxidrome
Definition

S- salivation

L - lacrimation

U - urination

D - defecation

G - gastrointestinal (cramping)

E - emesis

Term
Anticholinergics toxidromes
Definition

"Alice in Wonderland"
Mad as a hatter

Blind as a bat (lose accommodation)

Red as a beet

Dry as a bone

Hotter than hell 

Term
result from antagonization of acetylcholine by numerous medications or plant metabolites
Definition
anticholinergics
Term
Agents which cause seizures toxidromes
Definition

W - withdrawal

I - isoniazid

T - theophylline, tricyclics

H - hypoglycemia, hypoxia

L - lithium

A - anticholinergics

C - cholinergics, camphor, CO

O - organophosphates

P - phenothiazines, PCP, propoxyphene (old)

S - sympathomimetics, Salicylates

Term
Agents that cause nystagmus toxidrome
Definition

S - sedative - hypnotics, solvents

A - alcohol

L - lithium

E - ethylene glycol, ethanol 

M - methanol

T - tegretol, thiamine depletion

I - isopropranol

P - phenytoin

Term
the patient is removed from the substance and the substance is removed from the patient
Definition

decontamination

can be internally or externally

Term
toxins on the body must be washed off OR toxins within the body must be made unavailable for absorption within the gut
Definition
decontamination
Term
completely undress the patient and wash them with copious amounts of water
Definition
gross decontamination
Term
Needs to occur PRIOR to the patient entering the ER
Definition
gross decontamination
Term
decontamination of the eyes
Definition

immediate copious irrigation with NS 

very uncomfortable - 2 man procedure 

may use tetracaine opth drops for pain

Term
GI decontamination : what are the 3 methods
Definition

removal of the toxin vai the mouth

binding the toxin within the gut

flushing the toxin through the GI tract (change osmolarity of gut so gut can't absorb it - cathartic)

Term
GI Decon : Emesis
Definition

syrup of ipecac has virtually no role int he ED

limited role int he home

Term
GI decon : Orogastric lavage
Definition

insert an OG tube

lavage with room temp water until you get back clear water 

 

Term
what type of water do you use with an orogastric lavage?
Definition
tap water is fine
Term
Make sure to note ____ with an orogastric lavage?
Definition

pill fragments

most beneficial if ingestion is within 1 hour

Term
GI decon : orogastric lavage can instill...
Definition
activated charcoal at 1 gm/kg - should be done before removing the tube
Term
for toxin absorption in the gut the most appopriate agent is?
Definition
activated charcoal
Term
1st dose of activated charcoal is given with ____ in order to decrease transit time
Definition

cathartic 

ie. sorbitol or mag citrate

Term
shown to decrease the transit time for he passage of the charcoal and subsequent absorbed toxin
Definition
cathartics
Term
shouldnt be used in children under 5, substances known to cause diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, or ingestions of a caustic material
Definition
cathartics
Term
installation of large volumes of polyethylene glycol in an osmotically balanced electrolyte solution
Definition
whole - bowel irrigation
Term
_____ forces ingested substances through the bowel at a rapid rate
Definition
whole-bowel irrigation
Term
whole bowel irrigation may require an .....
Definition
antiemetic
Term
Enhanced elimination
Definition

alkalinization

urinary pH is exploited to manipulate certain toxins

 

Term
toxins that are weak acis can be converted from a nonionized state to an ionized state
Definition

alkalinization

"enhanced elimination"

(held within the renal tubules and excreted out of the body via urination)

Term
Is acidification of urine recommended for enhanced elimination?
Definition
no - probably wont survive
Term
is forced diuresis recommended for enhanced elimination?
Definition
no
Term
effective in eliminating substances that have already been absorbed
Definition
hemodialysis
Term
hemodialysis is less effective if there is an associated _____
Definition

large dose ingestion

large molecular weight

OR

toxin is highly protein bound

Term
Putting toxicology all together
Definition

brief to very brief history

safety net - ensure enogh blood for tox screen

ABC's

STAT EKG

STAT PCXR

labs (tox screen, UA, ABG)

imaging as appropriate

NG lavage

Give charcoal (cathartic w/ first dose)

Start MDAC if indicated

consider whole bowel irrigation

Term
Most important thing to remember about treatment of poisoning....
Definition
call poison control
Term
One of the primary goals in disposition is.....
Definition
medically clearing of the patient
Term
Disposition - if they are unstable or if they are uable to "medically clear" them consult -->
Definition
internal medicine
Term
Disposition - if they have "medically cleared" them and they are stable you must consider..
Definition
the patients intent
Term
Important to remember about disposition
Definition
no one goes home!!
Term
If the incident is truly accidental - who do you consult?
Definition

internal medicine and let them help you provide the correct disposition

example --> their med regimen needs to be re-looked at

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