chapters 16

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

1/25

Chapter 16: Poisoning

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

2/25

2

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AIDRESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

Copyright 2005 by The American National Red CrossAll rights reserved.

Introduction

A poison is any substance that can cause injury, illness ordeath when introduced into the body

Poisoning is considered a sudden illness

Between 1 and 2 million poisonings occur each year in theUnited States

More than 90 percent of all poisonings take place in the home

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

3/25

3



Poisoning

How Poisons Enter the Body:

-Inhalation

-Ingestion

-Absorption

-Injection

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

4/25

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

5/25

5



Signals of Poisoning

The signals of poisoning include:

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Chest or abdominal pain

Trouble breathing

Sweating

Changes in consciousness

Seizures

Headache

Dizziness

Weakness

Irregular pupil size Burning or tearing eyes

Abnormal skin color

Burn injuries around thelips or tongue

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

6/25

6



Care for Poisoning

The severity of a poisoning depends on:

-The type and amount of poison

-How and where the poison entered the body

-The time elapsed since the poisoning

-The victims size, weight, medical condition and age

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

7/25

7



Care for Poisoning (cont.)

General guidelines of care for any poisoning emergency:

-Check the scene

-Check for life-threatening conditions. Call 9-1-1 or the localemergency number if the victim is unconscious or is havingtrouble breathing

-If the victim is conscious, ask questions:

What type of poison did the victim ingest, inhale, inject orcome into contact with?

How much poison did the victim ingest, inhale, inject orcome into contact with?

When did the poisoning take place (approximate time)?

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

8/25

8



Once Determined Poison

-Remove from source

-Check LOC and ABC

-Care for life-threatening

-If conscious ask more information

-Bring any containers with you when you call

-Follow Poison Control Center or EMS directions

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

9/25

9



Care for Poisoning (cont.)

Call the National Poison Control Center at(800) 222-1222 or 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Give care as directed by poison control center personnel

or the EMS call taker.

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

10/25

10



Inhaled Poisons

Poisoning by inhalation occurs when a person breathes in toxicfumes

The danger associated with inhaled poisons makes checking thesafety of the scene important

Notice clues at the scene:

-Unusual odors

-Strong smell of fuel

-Hissing sound

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a differentlocation

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

11/25

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

12/25

12



Care for Inhaled Poisons

All victims of inhaled poison need oxygen ASAP

Help a conscious victim by getting him or her to fresh air

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number

If you find an unconscious victim: -Remove him or her from the scene if it is safe to do so

-Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number

-Give care for any other life-threatening conditions

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if you suspect thatfumes are present

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

13/25

13



Ingested Poisons

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)estimates that 76 million people suffer food-borne illnesses eachyear in the United States

Two of the most common categories of food poisoning are

bacterial food poisoning and chemical food poisoning.

Salmonella is the most common type of food poisoning

Botulism is the most deadly type of food poisoning

DO NOT give victim anything to eat or drink unless medical

professionals tell you to do so

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

14/25

14



Ingested Poisons (cont.)

Signals of food poisoning include:

-Nausea

-Vomiting

-Abdominal pain

-Diarrhea

-Fever

-Dehydration

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

15/25

15



Care for Ingested Poisons

In some cases of ingested poisoning, the Poison Control Center mayinstruct you to induce vomiting

Only induce vomiting if instructed to do so by a medical professional

Vomiting should not be induced if the victim:

-Is unconscious

-Is having a seizure

-Is pregnant (in the last trimester)

-Has ingested a corrosive substance (such as drain cleaner oroven cleaner) or a petroleum product (such as kerosene orgasoline)

-Is known to have heart disease

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

16/25

16



Absorbed Poisons

An absorbed poison enters the body after it comes in contactwith the skin

Absorbed poisons come from plants such as poison ivy,

poison oak and poison sumac, as well as from fertilizers andpesticides used in lawn and plant care

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

17/25

17



Care for Absorbed Poisons

Care for a victim who came into contact w/a poisonous plant:

-Immediately rinse the affected area

-If a rash or weeping lesion (an oozing sore) develops, seekadvice from a pharmacist or physician

-If a victims condition worsens, seek a physician

Care for a victim who came into contact w/wet or dry chemicals:

-Flush the area continuously with water

-Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number

-If running water is not available, carefully brush off anydry chemicals with a gloved hand

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

18/25

18



8/14/2019 Chapters 16

19/25

19



Injected Poisons

Injected poisons enter the body through the bites or stings ofcertain insects, spiders, ticks, marine life, animals and snakes oras drugs or misused medications injected with a hypodermicneedle.

Insect and animal bites and stings are the most common sourcesof injected poisons

Care for injected poisons will be discussed later in Ch17 and 18

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

20/25

20



Anaphylaxis

Severe allergic reactions to poisons are rare. But when one occurs, itis a life-threatening medical emergency. This reaction is calledanaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a form of shock

Onset of anaphylaxis can be rapid and the signals include: -Swelling and redness

-Hives

-Rash

-Itching

-Burning skin and eyes

-Weakness

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

21/25

21



Anaphylaxis (cont.)

-Nausea

-Vomiting

-Restlessness

-Dizziness

-Dilated pupils

-Slurred speech

-Chest discomfort or pain

-Weak or rapid pulse

-Rapid or trouble breathing (can result in obstructed airway)

-Coughing or wheezing

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

22/25

22



Care for Anaphylaxis

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number

Place victim in a position of comfort for breathing

Comfort and reassure the victim.

People who know they are extremely allergic to certainsubstances may carry an anaphylaxis kit

The kit contains a dose of epinephrine that can be injected intothe body to counteract the anaphylactic reaction

In some cases, you may need to assist the victim in using his or

her kit

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

23/25

23



Epi Pen

Auto-Injector:

Carry dose of epinephrine (aka adrenaline) to counteractanaphylactic reaction.

Both a kit and auto-injector are by prescription ONLY

PRACTICE USE

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

24/25

24



Preventing Poisoning

-Keep household products and meds away from children

-Keep products in original containers

-Dispose of outdated medications and household products

-Use the poison symbol on dangerous substances

-Use chemicals only in well-ventilated areas

-Wear proper clothing

-Immediately wash those areas of the body that may havecome in contact with a poison

8/14/2019 Chapters 16

25/25

25


Copyright 2005 by The American National Red CrossAll rights reserved

Closing

Poisoning can occur in any one of four ways: inhalation,ingestion, absorption and injection

The severity of a poisoning depends on factors such as:

-The type and amount of poison

-How and where the poison entered the body -The time elapsed since the poisoning

-The victims size, weight, medical condition and age

For suspected poisoning call the national number of the PoisonControl Center or 9-1-1 or the local emergency number

Follow the directions of poison control center personnel or theEMS call taker

Questions?

chapters 16

Documents