☠️ POISON BASICS
The study of poisonous substances.
What is toxicology?
The four routes by which poisons enter the body.
What are
This medication is commonly used to reverse opioid overdose.
What is naloxone?
The first treatment for an inhaled poison.
What is move the patient to fresh air?
An unresponsive patient has pinpoint pupils and respirations of 4/min. What should you suspect?
What is an opioid overdose?
A substance whose chemical action damages body structures or impairs body function.
What is a poison?
This route involves toxic gases entering the lungs.
What is inhalation?
Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression suggest this type of overdose.
What is an opioid overdose?
Patients with inhaled poisons often require this therapy.
What is supplemental oxygen?
A family is found unconscious inside a garage with a running vehicle. What poison should you suspect?
What is carbon monoxide?
A poisonous substance produced by bacteria, plants, or animals.
What is a toxin?
This route occurs when chemicals pass through the skin.
What is absorption?
This toxic gas is commonly produced by vehicle exhaust.
What is carbon monoxide?
If a toxic gas release is suspected, this specialized resource should be requested.
What is the HazMat team?
A patient is confused after accidentally mixing household cleaners. What should your first concern be?
What is scene safety and possible hazardous exposure?
The EMT's primary responsibility when responding to a poisoning.
What is recognizing that a poisoning has occurred?
A patient is bitten by a rattlesnake. Which route of exposure occurred?
What is injection?
A patient is agitated, tachycardic, and hypertensive after using cocaine. What class of drug caused these findings?
What is a stimulant?
True or False:
Every poisoned patient should be induced to vomit.
What is False.
A pesticide-covered patient walks toward your ambulance. What should you do first?
What is protect yourself, prevent contamination, and begin decontamination/request HazMat?
Name four questions you should ask a poisoned patient.
What is
A patient splashes pesticide into their eyes. Which route of exposure occurred?
What is absorption (surface contact)?
Match the overdose to the most likely presentation.
Opioids, Cocaine, and Carbon monoxide.
You find pill bottles at the scene. Should they accompany the patient to the hospital?
What is Yes. Containers can provide critical information about the poison.
An unconscious patient has slow respirations, pinpoint pupils, cyanosis, and drug paraphernalia nearby. What are your three highest-priority interventions?
What are