Poisoning

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 is
absorbed
•To provide supportive care in maintaining vital organ
systems
•To administer a specific antidote to neutralize a
specific poison
•To implement treatment that hastens the elimination of
the absorbed poison
•
Types Of
Poisoning
 Ingested (swallowed) poisoning
•Chemicals that are swallowed may harm the
digestive tract, or cause more widespread damage if
they enter the bloodstream and are transported to
other parts of the body. Swallowed poisons may be
corrosive. Corrosive poisons include alkaline and
acid agents that can cause tissue destruction after
coming contact into mucous membranes. Alkaline
products include lye, drain cleaners, toilet bowl
cleaners, bleach, nonphosphate detergents, oven
cleaners, and button batteries. Efforts are made to
determine what substance was ingested ; the amount;
the time since ingestion; signs and symptoms; such as
pain or burning sensation, any evidence of redness or
burn in the mouth or throat, pain in swallowing or in RECOGNITION
an inability to swallow, vomiting or drooling; age
and weight of the patient; and the pertinent health Depends on the poison, but there may
history. be:
• •Vomiting, sometimes bloodstained.
• •Impaired consciousness.
• •Pain or burning sensation.
• •Empty containers in the vicinity.
•History of ingestion/exposure.
 Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning
•Carbon monoxide poisoning may
occur as a result of industrial or
household incidents or attempted
suicide. Carbon monoxide exerts
its toxic effect by binding to
circulating hemoglobin and
thereby reducing the oxygen-
capacity of the blood. Hemoglobin
adsorbs carbon monoxide 200
times more readily than it absorbs
oxygen.
 Skin Contamination
poisoning (Chemical Burns)
The severity of
•

chemical burn is
determined by the
mechanism of actions,
the penetrating
strength and the
concentration, and
the amount and
duration of exposure
of the skin to the
chemical.
 Food Poisoning
Food poising is a sudden
•

illness that occurs after

ingestion of contaminated food
or drink. The to treatment is
determining the source and
type of food poisoning. If the
suspected food should be
brought to the medical
facility and a history
obtained from the patient or
family.
•

Example.
•

Botulism , a form of food poisoning is caused

•

by Clostridium botulinum, an obligately

anaerobic , endospore forming gram-positive
rod found in soil and many fresh water
sediments.
 Inhaled Gases
Inhaling chemical fumes or
•

sprays is potentially harmful

and may lead to breathing
problems, confusion, and
collapse. Chlorine gas is
stored at swimming pools
and is hazardous if released.
Poisonous may also be
released in the chemical RECOGNITION
reaction that occurs when Depends on the gas but there may be:
different cleaning product •Headache
•Noisy, distressed breathing
are used together. •Confusing
•Impaired consciousness
•

•
 Poisons In The
Eye
•Many chemicals –
both liquids and
gases used in the
home and the
workplace can
irritate the eyes. The
membranes covering RECOGNITION
There may be:
the eye absorb •Intense pain in the eye.
chemicals rapidly, •Inability to open the injured
eye.
and this can lead to •Redness and swelling around the
eye.
damage to the eyes •Copious watering of the eye.
within minutes of a
chemical being in
 Poisoning
Poisoning
•

can result
from an
overdose of
either
prescribed
drug or drugs
that are
bought over
the counter.
It can also be
caused by
drug abuse or
RECOGNITION
Category Drug Effects of poisoning

Painkillers Aspirin Upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting • ringing in the
(swallowed ) ears • “sighing ” when breathing • confusion and delirium •
dizziness.

Paracetamol Little effect at first, but abdominal pain, nausea, and

(swallowed ) vomiting may develop • irreversible liver damage may occur
within 3 days (malnourishment and alcohol increase the
risk) .
Nervous system Barbiturates and Lethargy and sleepiness, leading to unconsciousness •
depressants and benzodiazepines shallow breathing • weak, irregular, or abnormally slow or
tranquillisers (swallowed ) fast pulse.

Stimulants and Amphetamines Excitable, hyperactive behaviour, wildness and frenzy •

hallucinogens (including sweating • tremor of the hands • hallucinations in which
ecstasy) the casualty may claim to “hear voice” or “see things”.
And LSD
(swallowed );
cocaine
(inhaled )
Narcotics Morphine, heroin Small pupils • sluggishness and confusion , possibly leading
(commonly to unconsciousness • slow, shallow breathing, which may stop
injected) altogether • needle marks, which may be infected.

Solvents Glue, lighter Nausea and vomiting • headaches • hallucinations •possibly ,

fuel (inhaled) unconsciousness • rarely, cardiac arrest.
 Alcohol Poisoning
•Alcohol (chemical name, ethanol) • Recognition
is a drug that depresses the •There may be:
activity of the central nervous • A strong smell of alcohol.
system- in particular, the brain. • Empty bottles or cans.
Prolonged or excessive intake can • Impaired consciousness: the
casualty may respond if roused,
severely impair all physical and but will quickly relapse.
mental functions, and the person • Flushed and moist face.
may sink into deep • Deep, noisy breathing.
unconsciousness. • Full, bounding pulse.
• • Unconsciousness.
•In the later stages of unconsciousness:
There are several risks to the casualty
•

from alcohol poisoning: • Dry, bloated appearance to the face.

• Shallow breathing.
• A n u n co n scio u s ca su a lty risks
• Weak, rapid pulse.
in h a lin g a n d ch o kin g o n vo m it.
• Dilated pupils that react poorly to
• A lco h o l w id e n s ( d ila te s) th e b lo o d light.
ve sse ls. •
• A ca su a lty m a y w h o sm e lls o f
a lco h o l m a y b e m isd ia g n o se d a n d
n o t re ce ive a p p ro p ria te tre a tm e n t
fo r a n u n d e rlyin g ca u se of