1. Chapter 18
Poisoning

2. Types of Poisons Ingested (swallowed) Through the mouth
Inhaled (breathed)
Through the lungs
Absorbed (contact)
Through the skin
Injected
Through needlelike device

3. Ingested (Swallowed) Poisons
Occurs when victim swallows toxic substance
Most poisonings happen by ingestion.
Common among children
Some substances can block airway.
Analgesics are most common poisoning.
Most exposures to plants are minor.

4. Recognizing Ingested Poisons
Abdominal pain, cramping
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Burns, stains, odor near or in mouth
Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
Poison containers nearby

5. Care for Ingested Poisons (1 of 3)
Determine
Age and size of victim
What and how much poison ingested
When it was taken
If corrosive or caustic, have victim sip cold water or milk.
Responsive victim, call Poison Control Center at
Can advise if medical care is needed

6. Care for Ingested Poisons (2 of 3)
Unresponsive victim, call 9-1-1
Place victim in recovery position.
Do not induce vomiting.
Give activated charcoal if advised.

7. Care for Ingested Poisons (3 of 3)
Activated charcoal
Black powder that binds to poison
Does not absorb all drugs well
Save containers, plants, and vomit

8. Alcohol Intoxication Alcohol is a depressant.
Most commonly abused drug in US.
Often implicated as cofactor in other types of accidents
Can cause belligerent, combative behavior
Can be life-threatening
Take condition seriously

9. Recognizing Alcohol Intoxication
Odor of alcohol
Unsteadiness, staggering
Confusion
Slurred speech
Nausea and vomiting
Flushed face
Seizures can also result.

10. Care for Alcohol Intoxication
Look for injuries.
Monitor breathing.
Recovery position
Call poison control center at
If victim becomes violent, leave scene and await police.
Provide emotional support.
If victim is unresponsive, await EMS.
Move person to a warm place.

11. Drug Emergencies Drug classifications:
Uppers (stimulants)—amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine
Downers (sedative-hypnotic)—barbiturates, tranquilizers, marijuana, narcotics
Hallucinogens—LSD, mescaline, peyote, PCP
Volatile chemicals—glue, cement, paint solvent, gasoline, spray paint, nail polish remover

12. Sympathomimetics Stimulants (“uppers”) Produce excitement
Amphetamines, methamphetamines
Taken by mouth or injected
Cocaine
Crack

13. Recognizing Sympathomimetic Use
Disorganized behavior
Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Anxiety or great fear
Paranoia
Delusions

14. Care for Sympathomimetic Users
Check breathing.
Call poison center or
Check for injuries.
Place in recovery position.
Give reassurance, emotional support
If violent, seek safety until police arrive.
Seek medical care.

15. Hallucinogens Produce changes in mood, sensory awareness
Hear colors, see sounds
Cause hallucinations, bizarre behavior
Protect user from hurting self

16. Recognizing Hallucinogen Use
Visual hallucinations
Intensity of vision and hearing

17. Care for Hallucinogen Use
Check breathing.
Call poison center or
Check for injuries.
Place in recovery position.
Give reassurance, emotional support
If violent, seek safety until police arrive.
Seek medical care.

18. Marijuana Flowering hemp plant
Estimated 20 million people use marijuana daily in US

19. Recognizing Marijuana Overdose
Euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness
Short-term memory loss
Impaired capacity for complex thinking and work
Depression, confusion
Altered perception of time
Anxiety, panic
Hallucinations

20. Care for Marijuana Overdose
Check breathing.
Call poison center or
Check for injuries.
Place in the recovery position.
Give reassurance, emotional support
If violent, seek safety until police arrive.
Seek medical care.

21. Depressants Often prescribed as part of legitimate medicine
People may solicit prescriptions from several physicians.
Includes:
Opiates (narcotics)
Sedative hypnotics (barbiturates and tranquilizers)

22. Recognizing Sedative-Hypnotic Drug Use
Drowsiness, sleepiness
Slurred speech
Slow breathing rate

23. Opiates Pain relievers named for opium Heroin, codeine, morphine
Frequently abused
Addicts may start with appropriate prescription

24. Recognizing Opiate Overdose
Reduced breathing rate
Pinpoint pupils
Sedated condition, unresponsiveness

25. Care for Depressant Overdose
Check breathing.
Call poison center or
Check for injuries.
Place recovery position.
Give reassurance, emotional support
If violent, seek safety until police arrive.
Seek medical care.

26. Abused Inhalants Glue, gasoline, lighter fluid, nail polish
Similar effects to alcohol
Can die of suffocation
Can change heart rhythm
Can cause permanent brain damage

27. Recognizing Abused Inhalant
Mild drowsiness, unresponsiveness
Slurred speech, clumsiness
Seizures
Slow breathing rate
Smell of solvents

28. Care for Abused Inhalant
Check breathing.
Call poison center or
Check for injuries.
Place in recovery position.
Give reassurance, emotional support
If violent, seek safety until police arrive.
Seek medical care.

29. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Leading cause of poisoning death in US each year
Invisible, tasteless, odorless, colorless, nonirritating gas
Can be unintentional poisoning or suicide
Can occur in older car, extended time in running car, or from faulty furnaces, water heaters, kerosene heaters
Causes hypoxia

30. Recognizing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (1 of 2)
Headache
Ringing in ears
Chest pain
Muscle weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and visual changes
Unresponsiveness
Respiratory and cardiac arrest

31. Recognizing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (2 of 2)
Symptoms come and go.
Symptoms worsen and improve in certain places and at certain times.
Nearby people have similar complaints.
Pets seem ill.

32. Care for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Remove victim from environment immediately.
Call
EMS can give 100% oxygen for 30 or 40 minutes to reverse CO poisoning.
Monitor breathing.
Place unresponsive, breathing victim in recovery position.
Seek medical care.

33. Plant-Induced Dermatitis (1 of 2)
Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac
15-25% of exposed people will have incapacitating swelling, blisters
Oil oozes out from plant when brushed.

34. Plant-Induced Dermatitis (2 of 2)
Oil not visible on human skin
Spread by direct contact
Can stay active for months or years
Smoke from burning plants can cause severe dermatitis
Difficult to identify plants
Leaves grow in groups of three

35. Recognizing Plant-Induced Dermatitis
Rash
Itching
Redness
Blisters
Swelling
The greater the amount of skin affected, the greater the need for medical care.
Onset usually occurs 1-2 days after contact.

36. Care for Plant-Induced Dermatitis
Clean skin with soap and cold water as soon as possible.
Apply rubbing alcohol liberally, then remove with water.
Lukewarm bath and colloidal oatmeal
Wet compresses with aluminum acetate
Calamine lotion or baking soda paste
Corticosteroid ointment and oral corticosteroid

37. Stinging Nettle Plant with stinging hairs on stem and leaves
Stinging hair is touched
Fine needlepoint penetrates skin
Injects chemical irritant

38. Recognizing Stinging Nettle Poisoning
Can affect anyone
Effects limited to exposed area
Immediate response
Redness
Rapid, intense burning
Itching
Reaction lasts hours, not days

39. Care for Stinging Nettle Poisoning
Wash exposed area with soap and water.
Apply:
Cold, wet pack
Colloidal oatmeal, hydrocortisone cream, or calamine lotion
Over-the-counter antihistamine