Transcript Pharmacology Chapter 10 Poison Control

Pharmacology
Chapter 10
Poison Control
A Poison
• A substance taken into the body by ingestion,
inhalation, injection, or absorption that interferes
with normal physiological functions
• In some cases, only a small amount of a substance
can cause severe tissue damage directly such as
corrosives like “Drano” if swallowed
If you suspect poisoning…
• ALWAYS CHECK ABC’s…cannot do
anything else without ABC’s
• Contact poison control for further directions
on how to handle the ingestion or inhalation
of a poisoning
The most common type of
poisoning is
• INGESTION or swallowing
Who is at the most risk of
poisoning?
• Children between the ages of 1-5 years old
What to do if someone swallows
a poison?
• We used to immediately recommend syrup
of ipecac…not always the case now
• Too much vomiting can interfere with other
treatment
• There has been evidence that bulimics and
anorexics are abusing ipecac
The American Academy of
Pediatrics, 2004
• Recommends that ipecac NOT be kept in the
home in case of accidental poisoning
• This is because homeowners misuse ipecac. They
have administered ipecac to someone who drinks
corrosives, vomiting can cause more damage to
esophagus
• The AAP recommends that homeowners MUST
dispose of the ipecac safely and to not use it
Poison Control Phone Number
• There is a national toll-free hotline you can call
regarding poisoning
• Callers should be ready to give the following
information regarding the poisoning:
• Age
weight
health status of pt
• Type of poison if known
pt’s allergies
• Whether the pt has asthma or not
When NOT TO induce vomiting
• Ingestion of corrosives
• Ingestion of volatile petroleums such as gas, kerosene,
lighter fluids. Vomiting can cause aspiration or asphyxiation.
• Ingestion of convulsants such as strychnine or iodine.
Vomiting can precipitate seizures
• If pt is semiconscious, severely inebriated, in
shock, or has no gag reflex. Vomiting can cause choking,
aspiration or asphyxiation
• If pt is < 1 y.o.
• Pts with cardiac conditions should not
induce vomiting, can cause HTN, stroke, arrhythmias
• If any of the previously mentioned
situations happen, call 911 IMMEDIATELY
• Trained personal can lavage the stomach
contents
• Sometimes, anecdotes can be effective if
ingestion happened only a short time ago
Activated Charcoal
• It helps minimize systemic absorption
• It is ONLY given after emesis or gastric
lavage
• It is recommended that you do not mix
charcoal with milk, only water or fruit juice
• Activated charcoal is excreted in the feces
and stool is black in color
Personnel caring for poisoning
victims should observe the following
• Save the emesis – it may help in
determining the type of poisoning taken
• VS
• Observe closely for tremors, confusion,
convulsions, resp. distress or cardiac
arrhythmias
Treatment for Poisoning by
inhalation
• Treat the symptoms
• Provide fresh air and oxygen
• Perform CPR if indicated
• The inhalation of insect spray may require
administration of an anecdote
Treatment for external poisoning
of skin or eyes
• These should be flushed from the eyes or skin
with a continuous stream of water for at least 15
minutes
• The person should be transported to an emergency
care facility for further treatment
• Systemic absorption of poisons through the skin
may require administration of an anecdote
Poisoning by Sting
• Insect sting – (stings include by bee, wasp,
scorpion or fire ant)
• treat with the immediate application of household
ammonia to the site or with a paste made of
bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and water, after
removing the stinger of a bee or wasp
• Ice can also be applied to the site
• If pt tells you they are allergic to stings, watch pt
for anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis of a sting
• CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
• Watch ABC’s
• Pt may receive adrenalin, corticosteroids
and histamine blocker such as benadryl
• Pt needs to be transported to an emergency
facility immediately after the administration
of the above meds
Epi-pen
• Pts can administer an epi pen to themselves or
another person can administer the epi-pen to
another person if needed
• Epinephrine or adrenaline causes bronchodilation
to open the bronchioles to get O2 in more
effectively
• And vasoconstriction to allow the blood vessels to
close and return BP
Snakebites
• Do not apply ice or a tourniquet to a snakebite
because venom is very irritating and may cause
sloughing of the tissues
• Keep the pt quiet in order to slow circulation
• Transport the pt lying down to an ER for
antivenom injections
• If possible, take the snake with you for
identification
Statistics on Poisonings
• Poisonings are the leading cause of health
emergencies for children in the nation
• Poisonings are a major cause of death
among children d/t their natural curiosity
and active lifestyle
• Children like colored medicine with flavors
CANDY
• DO NOT REFER TO MEDICINE AS CANDY
• This is very bad for children 
• They love candy as do I, but children don’t know
the difference and will eat up pills mistakenly for
the candy. I only eat candy 
• Education is very important with children
Child-proof your home
• Lock all cupboards containing meds and
cleaning agents
• Keep meds in child-proof containers
• Watch children closely when they visit
others, watch for homes NOT child-proofed
Others precautions to take for prevention
of childhood poisoning
• Never transfer poisonous substances to unlabeled
containers or to food containers such as milk
cartons or soda bottles or cereal boxes. Keep
chemicals in their original labeled containers
• Never store poisonous substances in the same are
with food, confusion could be fatal
• Never reuse containers of chemical products
• Always flush unused medication down the toilet,
never discard meds in the garbage can
• Do not give or take meds in the dark, error can
occur
• Never give or take meds that are discolored, have
a strange odor or is outdated
• Adults should NOT take medication in front of
children
• Keep purses and pill boxes out of reach of
children
• Rinse out medication containers thoroughly before
disposing of them
IRON
• The FDA reports that iron pills are the
leading cause of poisoning deaths in
children under 6 y.o.
• In the last decade, 110,000 children were
poisoned by eating adult pills and at least 33
children have died
• Therefore…
• FDA proposed requiring iron supplements
to be sold in special “blister packs” to
prevent from childhood poisonings
Mr. Yuck
Mr. Yuk Stickers
• Mr. Yuck says “NO” stickers are for children who
cannot read. These stickers were produced by the
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
• These stickers are encouraged to prevent
accidental poisonings
• You place a Mr. Yuk sticker on items you don’t
want your child to taste or touch
• Do you think kids will want to at least touch
something you tell them not to touch? Hmm
Others at risk for poisons
• The older adult, especially the elderly
person
Overdoses of medication can result in
toxicity with the following symptoms
•
•
•
•
Confusion
Dizziness
Weakness
Lethargy
Ataxia
Tremors
Cardiac irregularities
What else can cause toxic reactions from
meds besides overdosing
• Slower metabolism, Impaired circulation, and Decreased
excretion cause meds to remain in the body longer and
then builds up dangerous levels
• Wrong dose taken d/t impaired vision or poor memory
• Multiple medication interactions
• Other medical conditions affecting absorption
Other Measures For Prevention
• Obtain the number of your nearest Poison Control
Center and place it near your telephone
• There are more than 70 Poison Control Centers
throughout the U.S. and Canada
• Poison Control Centers have information
regarding poisonous plants, snakes, reptiles, and
marine organisms such as jelly fish and stingray
CAUTION
• The wrong treatment can be often times,
more dangerous than none
• Practice safety in your home and teach
safety to your patients for their home
• ABC’s is #1 once a poisonous substance has
been taken CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
THE END
• CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
• You have officially completed the
Pharmacology course 