Definition: Laboratory and Diagnostic tests: Signs and Symptoms:

A poison is any substance that, when ingested, inhaled,
absorbed, applied to the skin, or produced within the body in
relatively small amounts, injuries the body by its chemical
action.
1. Ingested poisoning- can be corrosive or non-corrosive.
Corrosive poison s are strong acids and bases that damage
the flesh.
2. Inhaled Poisoning: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3. Skin Contamination (Chemical Burns)
4. Food Poisoning
Risk factors:
1. Laboratory toxicology screens (serum,vomitus, stool and urine 1. Ingested Poisons: Pain, burning sensation, and actual
)determine the extent of the absorption burns in mouth or throat; odynophagia or dysphagia,
vomiting, and drooling.
2. Baseline blood work such as CBC, electrolytes, renal and
hepatic studies enable future determination of organ and 2. inhaled: Headache, muscular weakness, dizziness,
confusion, physchoses, and signs and symptoms of
tissue damage
permanent CNS damage.
3. Chest X-ray may show aspiration pneumonia in inhalation
3. Skin contamination: irritation/burning in site; pain on site;
poisoning
blisters or black dead skin and visual disturbances.
4. Abdominal X-rays may reveal iron pills or other radiopaque
substances 4. Food Poisoning: Fluid and electrolyte imbalance,
tachycardia, oliguria or anuria; hypotension and delirium
5. ABG analysis used to evaluate oxygenation
6. Endoscopy-, indicated to check for the presence and severity
of esophageal and gastric burns.
Nursing Diagnoses:

1. Young children- are susceptible to poisons for they
put most items in their mouths and are unaware of
consequences.
2. Adolescents- are aware of the consequences of their
actions but peer pressure and risk taking behaviors
can lead them to misuse alcohol or illicit drugs
3. Sex: Boys have higher rates of poisoning than girls
in all regions of the world, probably because of
1. Impaired Gas Exchange related to altered oxygen-
POISONING carrying capacity of blood: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
2. Deficient fluid volume related to active fluid volume loss:
prolonged diarrhea
3. Impaired Skin integrity related to chemical irritants
Medical Management:
 ipecac-induced vomiting
 Gastric lavage for obtunded patients Nursing Interventions:

differences in socialization.  Activated charcoal-for absorption of poison 1. Assist with the management of an effective airway,
 Cathartic (purgative drug) breathing pattern and circulatory status.
 Hemoperfusion-detoxification of blood 2. Monitor and document vital signs especially BP and
Drugs: HR. Administer parenteral fluids as prescribed. Provide
 Analgesics
measures to prevent excessive electrolyte loss (e.g.,
 Ipecac syrup  Intubation, oxygenation, Pressurized oxygen chamber (to
resting the GI tract, administering antipyretics as ordered
 Activated charcoal speed up replacement of carbon monoxide with oxygen in by the physician)
 Cathartic blood.) 3. Assist in the hastening in the elimination of the
 Tetanus prophylaxis  Antimicrobial, debridement, tetanus prophylaxis and medication or poison, decrease the amount of absorption
and administer antidotes as prescribed.
 Antimicrobial plastic surgery
Note: Vomiting should not be induced in corrosive
 Analgesics  Antiemetic via parenteral route, cathartics and enemas,
poisoning because it will damage the mucus membrane of
 Antiemetics NGT suction, stress ulcer prophylaxis (omep) and the stomach as it is already soften by the poison.
hyperalimentation or the admin. Of nutrients via IV
feeding