Medical Terminology
Any substance whose chemical action can damage body structures or impair body function.
Poison
The main homeostatic dysfunction and treatment priority affected by opiates.
Respiratory depression
The MOST common route of poisoning.
Oral/Ingestion
The 'L' in SLUDGEM or DUMBELS
Lacrimation
The reversal agent for opioid poisoning.
Naloxone (Narcan)
Poisonous substance produced by bacteria, animals or plants that acts by changing the normal metabolism of the cells or destroying them.
Toxin
This class of drugs mimic the sympathetic nervous system.
Sympathomimetics
The 4 routes that poisons enter the body:
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
The 'M' in SLUDGEM or DUMBELS
Meiosis/Muscle twitching
The dose of activated charcoal.
1 gm/kg
The misuse of any substance to produce a desired effect.
Substance abuse
Alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics and opioids are different types of this poison classification.
CNS depressants
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of these types of drugs.
Sedatives/hypnotics
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is characteristic of this medication overdose.
Aspirin
The first step of decontamination for powdered substances.
Brush them off the skin.
The condition of needing increasing amounts of a substance to acquire the same desired effect.
Tolerance
These drugs overstimulate the organ systems controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system and include "nerve gases" and organophosphates.
Cholinergic agents
Halogenated hydrocarbons, such as Freon, cause this organ to become hypersensitive to adrenaline.
Heart
Respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension and pinpoint pupils are common findings in this type of overdose.
Opioids/narcotics
The priority for managing any patient, especially with altered mental status.
This class of drugs alter a person's sensory perception, separating the user from reality.
Hallucinogens
These drugs block the parasympathetic nervous system and include examples such as Atropine, Benadryl, jimson weed, and amitriptyline.
Anticholinergic agents
Delirium tremens (DTs)
The smell of almonds is characteristic of this type of poisoning.
Cyanide
The dual-medication treatment kit for organophosphate poisoning.
Atropine and pralidoxine (2-PAM)