Poisoning
POISON
POISON
Is any substance: solid, liquid or gas, that tends to impair health or
cause death when introduced into the body or into the skin surface. A
poisoning emergency can be life threatening.
POISON
Ways in Which Poisoning May Occur
INGESTION – by mouth
INHALATION – by breathing
INJECTION – by animal bites, sting or syringe.
ABSORPTION – by skin contact.
INGESTED POISON
Is one that is introduced into the digestive tract by way of the mouth.
Signs and Symptoms
Altered mental status.
History of ingesting poisons.
Burns around the mouth.
Odd breath odors.
Nausea, vomiting.
Abdominal pain.
Diarrhea
First Aid for Ingested Poisoning
1. Try to identify the poison.
2. Place the victim on his or her left side.
3. Monitor ABCs.
4. Save any empty container, spoiled food for analysis.
5. Save any vomitus and keep it with the victim if he or she is taken to an
emergency facility.
INHALED POISON
INHALED POISON
Is a poison breathed into the lungs.
Signs and Symptoms
History of inhaling poisons
Breathing difficulty
Chest pain
Cough, hoarseness, burning sensation in the throat
Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin and mucous
membranes
Dizziness, headache
Seizures, unresponsiveness (advance stages)
First Aid for Inhaled Poisoning
1. Remove the victim form the toxic environment and into fresh air
immediately.
2. Monitor ABCs.
3. Seek medical attention.
ABSORBED POISON
ABSORBED POISON
Is a poison that enters the body through the skin.
Signs and Symptoms
History of exposures
Liquid or powder on the skin
Burns
Itching, irritation
Redness, rash, blisters
First Aid for Absorption Poisoning
1. Remove the clothing.
2. Then with a dry cloth blot the poison from the skin. If the
poison is a dry powder, brush it off
3. Flood the area with copious amounts of water.
4. Continually monitor the patient’s vital signs.
INJECTED POISON
INJECTED POISON
Is a poison that enters the body through a bite, sting, or syringe
Insect Bites
Signs and Symptoms
Stinger may be present.
Pain
Swelling
Possible allergic reaction
First Aid for Insect Bites
1. Remove stinger.
2. Wash wound
3. Cover the wound
4. Apply a cold pack
5. Watch for signals of allergic reaction
Spider Bite/Scorpion Sting
Signs and Symptoms
Bite Mark
Swelling
Pain
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
First Aid for Spider bite / Scorpion sting
1. Wash wound
2. Apply a cold pack
3. Get medical care to receive antivenin
4. call local emergency number, if necessary
Marine Life Stings
Signs and symptoms
Possible marks
Pain
Swelling
Possible allergic reaction
First Aid for Marine Life stings
[Link] jellyfish- Soak area in vinegar
[Link] sting ray- soak in nonscalding hot water until pain goes away
[Link] and bandage the wound
[Link] necessary, Call local emergency number
Snake Bites
Signs and Symptoms
Possible marks
Pain
First Aid for Snake bites
[Link] wound
[Link] bitten part still and lower than the
heart
[Link] local emergency number
Comparative Characteristics of a Snake
VENOMOUS NON-VENOMOUS
Concertina, side Semicorcentina
Movement locomotion winding curvature
Head Semi-triangular Oblongated
Body Rectangular Circular
Skin Rough Smooth
Pupil Vertical Round
Way/Manner of
Nonconstrictor Constrictor
attack
Bite marks With fang marks Horseshoe shape
Human and Animal Bites
Signs and Symptoms
• Bite mark
• Bleeding
First Aid for Human and Animal Bites
[Link] bleeding is minor – wash wound
2. Control bleeding
3. apply antibiotic ointment
4. cover the wound
[Link] medical attention if wound bleeds severely or if suspect you
suspect animal rabies
6. Call local emergency number or contact animal control personnel
DRUG ABUSE
DRUG ABUSE
Is the self-administration of one or more drugs in a way that is not in accord
with approved medical or social practice.
Signs and Symptoms
[Link]-threatening emergency
Unresponsiveness
Breathing difficulties or inability to maintain an open
airway
Abnormal or irregular pulse
Fever
Vomiting with an altered mental status or without gag
reflex
Seizures
2. High Priority for Transport
• Altered mental status.
• Extremely low or high blood pressure.
• Sweating tremors, and hallucinations (with alcohol withdrawal).
• Digestive problems, including abdominal pain and bleeding.
• Visual disturbance, slurred speech, uncoordinated muscle movement
• Disinterested behavior, loss of memory.
• Combativeness.
• Paranoia.
First Aid for Drug Emergencies
1. Establish and maintain an open airway
2. Monitor the patients mental status and vital signs frequently
3. Maintain the patients body temperature
4. Take measures to prevent shock
5. Care for any behavioral problem
6. Support the patient
ALCOHOL
Alcohol
Is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) depressant.
Signs of Intoxication
• Odor of alcohol on the breath.
• Swaying and unsteadiness.
• Slurred speech.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Flushed face.
• Drowsiness.
• Violent, destructive, or erratic behavior.
• Self-injury, usually without realizing it.
First Aid for Alcohol Emergencies
1. Give the same attention as you would to any patient with an illness or injury.
2. Monitor the patient’s vital signs constantly. Provide life support when
necessary.
3. Position the patient to avoid aspiration of vomitus.
4. Protect the patient from hurting him or herself.
MURPHY’S LAW
Automatically Multiply by 3 the number of drinks they
claim to have had…