Routes of entry
These are the 4 mains ways toxins enter your body.
What are ingestion, inhalation, injection and absorption?
These drugs, easily reversed with Narcan, cause the patient's pupils to go pinpoint, decrease the respiratory drive and can be deadly.
What are Opiates?
They might be the best person to set you up for success with each call(it's not yourself), especially if they're trained to "listen" for potential hazards.
Who is the dispatcher?
This is the standard dose for Activated Charcoal
What is 1g/kg of body weight?
If real cannabis isn't available, some teens have resorted to this instead which is extremely dangerous.
What is Spice?
Grab a twisty straw, this suspension med can be drank like a soda.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Atropine belongs to this major toxidrome of drugs that work against the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
What are anticholinergics?
There are many clues that you have an overdose, these are some observations you might find on scene.
What are pill bottles laying around, alcoholic beverages, syringes or other drug paraphernalia, unpleasant odors, etc. (Not living conditions)
Severe alcohol ingestion may cause this, a big problem for diabetics.
What is hypoglycemia?
Muscle rigidity and teeth grinding are common side effects of people abusing this substance.
What is PCP?
This colorless, odorless and tasteless gas can displace oxygen without you noticing it.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Do you smell almonds, because if you do we are in big trouble. This nasty agent can kill you quick and also smells "nutty".
What is cyanide?
Getting too focused on potential clues can cause this condition where you miss important things.
What is tunnel vision?
Commonly mistaken as the "Detoxifications" or "DTs", it really means this.
What is Delirium Tremens?
This medication is used by us, but is frequently abused by the public and referred to as "Special K".
What is Ketamine?
Always treat this, rather than the diagnostic tools.
What is the patient?
This is the term for what happens when your body gets too used to a substance, meaning your need more and more each time to get the med to work.
What is tolerance?
This device might be crucial in treating patients exposed to Carbon Monoxide.
What is the ETCO2?
This term was originally referred to as a substance that dulled the senses and relieved pain. It is kind of a blanket term.
What is narcotic?
This is our primary focus when we encounter patients who have OD on benzodiazepines.
What is maintaining the airway?
Most solvents, and this item used by farmers, are toxic and can be readily absorbed through the skin.
What are insecticides?
Hypertension, tachycardia, dilated pupils are symptoms you would expect to find with someone who took these types of meds.
What are sympathomimetics?
You might find these documents in the cab of a semi truck, the management office or potentially near the item. It will be key in our treatment process (MSDS)
What is the Material Safety Data Sheet?
Expected symptoms after administering Narcan include at least 3 things...
What are vomiting, aspiration, seizures, violence, etc.?
This is most likely the cause of abdominal pain, cramping of the stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. (Bonus points if you can name a strand)
What is food poisoning(Clostridium Botulinum)?