Routes of poisoning
Signs and symptoms
Interventions and antidotes
Specific Toxins & Agents
Assessment & Scene Management
100

The most common route of poisoning, especially in children.

What is ingestion?

100

This pupil finding is commonly seen in opioid overdoses.

What are pinpoint pupils?

100

This drug reverses opioid overdose.

What is naloxone (Narcan)?

100

This commonly abused stimulant can be absorbed through mucous membranes or smoked.

What is cocaine?

100

The very first step before entering a suspected poisoning scene.

What is ensure scene safety?

200

This route involves harmful vapors or gases entering the lungs.

What is inhalation?

200

Ringing in the ears and hyperventilation are signs of this overdose.

What is aspirin (salicylate) poisoning?

200

This black substance binds certain ingested poisons in the GI tract.

What is activated charcoal?

200

This gas has a rotten egg smell and can cause rapid unconsciousness and death.

What is hydrogen sulfide?

200

The history acronym used in toxicology cases.

What is SAMPLE?

300

A poison that enters through the skin or eyes uses this route.

What is absorption?

300

A patient presents with visual and auditory hallucinations, tachycardia, dilated pupils, and claims to “see colors and hear music.” This toxidrome is likely due to:

What is hallucinogen use?

300

Before administering activated charcoal, the EMT must ensure this.

What is the patient's ability to swallow/protect airway?

300

This designer drug can cause paranoia, hallucinations, and muscle twitching, lasting up to 48 hours.

What are bath salts (synthetic cathinones)?

300

This should always be brought to the hospital if found near the poisoned patient.

What is the substance container or bottle?

400

Poisons that enter the bloodstream via IV or bites use this route.

What is injection?

400

Agitation, hallucinations, fever, tremors, and seizures during alcohol withdrawal suggest this condition.

What is delirium tremens (DTs)?

400

This is the maximum amount of time after ingestion that activated charcoal is generally considered effective.

What is 30 minutes to 1 hour?

400

This over-the-counter drug can cause nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, and rapid breathing when taken in large amounts.

What is aspirin (ASA)?

400

If a dry chemical is on the skin, this should be done before flushing with water.

What is brush it off?

500

Before treating any patient exposed to poison by this route, a HazMat team must decon them.

What is inhalation of toxic industrial gases or nerve agents?

500

A patient with diarrhea, urination, miosis, bradycardia, and salivation is showing signs of this toxidrome.

What is cholinergic poisoning?

500

This important place should always be contacted for advice when dealing with an unknown or unusual poisoning.

What is the Poison Control Center

500

This gas is highly toxic, flammable, and has a distinct rotten egg smell. It's often used in suicide attempts and can cause seizures, coma, or death.  

What is hydrogen sulfide?

500

You reassess a stable poisoning patient every ________ minutes.

What is every 15 minutes?