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Chapter 35 - Poisoning

from Section III: - Organ dysfunction and management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

Edited by
Edited in association with
Fang Gao Smith
Affiliation:
University of Warwick
Joyce Yeung
Affiliation:
West Midlands Deanery
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Summary

Deliberate self-poisoning is usually an intentional oral ingestion of a variety of drugs by previously well adults and makes up 95% of cases. This chapter explains airway and breathing, and circulation in the initial assessment and resuscitation phase. In the clinical examination the patient's symptoms and signs elicited on physical examination provide clues to the most likely drugs involved and guide early therapy especially when the cause is unidentified. The chapter lists out various investigations that include electrocardiogram, arterial blood gases, radiology and drug screening. The importance of maintaining physiological stability whilst minimizing the toxic effects of drug ingestion is paramount. The toxicity can be diminished by preventing drug absorption, inhibition of toxic metabolite formation, and augmentation of drug elimination. The general care of the unconscious patient includes regular monitoring of vital signs and organ support. The chapter lists out management of specific drugs that include salicylates (aspirin).
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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  • Poisoning
  • Edited by Fang Gao Smith, University of Warwick
  • Edited in association with Joyce Yeung
  • Book: Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511712289.037
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  • Poisoning
  • Edited by Fang Gao Smith, University of Warwick
  • Edited in association with Joyce Yeung
  • Book: Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511712289.037
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Poisoning
  • Edited by Fang Gao Smith, University of Warwick
  • Edited in association with Joyce Yeung
  • Book: Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511712289.037
Available formats
×