POISONING

PRESENTED BY:IRISH KRISTIAN R. TAMBANGAN BSN, RN

OBJECTIVES

1. Define Poisoning correctly.2. Identify the Nature & Routes of

Poisoning.3. Enumerate the Causes of

Poisoning.4. Described the Assessment,

Management and Treatment of Poisoning.

DEFINITION- Most common cause of nonfatal

accidents at home.- Injury or death due to swallowing.

Inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs, chemicals, venoms or gases.

- Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain drugs and chemicals. Prognosis depends on the amount of poison absorbed, its toxicity, and the time interval between poisoning and treatment.

NATURES OF POISONING Homicidal –killing of a human being by

another human being by administering poisonous substance deliberately.

Suicidal – when a person administer poison himself to end his/her life.

Accidental – example is household poisons, nail polish remover, acetone.

Occupational – in professional workers. Example is insecticides, noxious, fumes.

ROUTES OF POISONING

Inhalational - poisons that are breathed in: gases: ammonia, chloride vapors: carbon monoxide sprays: insecticides Ingestion

-poison that are swallowed: household and industrial chemicals medications improperly prepared food plant materials petroleum products

Injection Intravenous: benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antidepressant etc. Intramuscular: benzodiazepines, opioids etc. Subcutaneous: botulinum toxins Intradermal: local anesthetics, organophosphates etc.

Absorption -poisons taken in through skin: irritants insecticides chemicals

CAUSES-Accidental ingestion or skin contamination-Improper storage of household products like laundry powder or furniture polish.-Over the counter medicines that is harmful to

your body.-Chemical company employees that exposed to

substances like chlorine, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, amonia etc.

-Improper cooking-Intentional drug overdose or chemical ingestion-Indoor and outdoor plants-Metals such as lead and mercury

WHEN TO SUSPECT POISONING

Poisoning signs and symptoms can mimic theIr conditions, such as seizure, alcohol intoxication, stroke and insulin reaction.

Signs & symptoms may include:

-Burns or redness around the mouth and lips

-Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner

-Vomiting

-Difficulty of breathing

-Drowsiness

-Confusion or other altered mental status

NOTE: I f you suspect poisoning, be alert for clues such as empty pill bottles or packages, scattered pills, and burns, stains and odors on the person or nearby objects. With a child, consider the possibility that he or she may have applied medicated patches or swallowed a button battery.

WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is:

-drowsy or unconscious, having difficulty of breathing or has stopped breathing, uncontrollably restlessnes or agitated, having seizures, known to have taken medications, or any other substance, intentionally or accidentally overdosed.

WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING FOR HELPTake the following actions until help arrives:Swallowed poison-remove anything remaining on the person’s mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container’s label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.Poison in the skin-remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse skin for 15- 20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.Poison in the eye-gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.Inhaled poison-get the person into fresh air as soon as possible. -if the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent chocking.-begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing.

CAUTION

Do not give syrup of ipecac or do anything to induce vomiting, no good evidence proves its effectiveness, and it often can do more harm than good.

Button batteries. The small flat batteries used in watches and other electronics are dangerous to children. A battery stuck in the esophagus can cause severe burns in as little as 2 hours. If suspected that a person swallowed one of these batteries, immediately take him or her for an emergency X-ray to determine its location. -if in esophagus, it will have to be removed.-if it has passed into the stomach, its usually safe to allow it to pass on through the intestinal tract.

TREATMENTActivated charcoal – charcoal binds to the poison

and stops it from being further absorbed into the blood.

Antidotes – these are substances that either prevent the poison from working or reverse the effects of the poison.

Sedatives – these may be given if the person is agitated.

Ventilator – these may be given if the person is agitated.

Anti- epileptic medicine – this may be used if the person has seizures.

TEST AND INVESTIGATIONSInvestigations may include

blood tests and an Electrocardiogram. A blood test can be used to check the levels of chemicals and glucose in a person’s blood. They may be used to perform a toxicology screen (tests to determine how many drugs or medication a person has taken) and a liver function test (which indicates how damaged the liver is).

THANK YOU!SHUKRAN!