General Management of Poisoning

General Management of Poisoning

Stabilizations

The initial survey should always be directed at the assessment and correction of life-threatening problems, if present. Attention must be paid to the airway, breathing, circulation, and depression of the CNS (the ABCD of resuscitation).

Evaluation

If the patient is not in crisis, i.e. he is alert with normal speech and pulse, proceed to a complete, thorough, and systematic examination. As far as treatment is concerned, the emphasis should be on basic supportive measures.

Decontamination

This is with reference to skin/eye decontamination, gut evacuation and administration of activated charcoal.

Poison Elimination

Depending on the situation, this can be accomplished by diuresis, peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis, haemoperfu-sion, etc.

Antidote Administration

Unfortunately, antidotes are available for less than 5% of poisonings.

Nursing And Psychiatric Care

General nursing care is especially important in comatose patients and those who have been incapacitated by the poison. Since some cases of poisoning leave behind persisting sequelae, adequate follow-up for a period of time may be necessary. Psychiatric intervention is frequently essential in suicidal overdose