Chapters 16

Chapter 16: Poisoning
Introduction
 A poison is any substance that can cause injury, illness or

death when introduced into the body
 Poisoning is considered a sudden illness
 Between 1 and 2 million poisonings occur each year in the
United States
 More than 90 percent of all poisonings take place in the home
AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

2 Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
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Poisoning
 How Poisons Enter the Body:
 -Inhalation
 -Ingestion
 -Absorption
 -Injection

Checking the Scene
 Often, the scene itself is the best clue that a poisoning may have
occurred. Factors to notice include:
 -Unusual odors
 -Flames or smoke
 -An open medicine cabinet
 -Open or spilled containers
 -Overturned or damaged plants
 -Drug paraphernalia or empty containers

Signals of Poisoning
 The signals of poisoning include:
 Nausea or vomiting  Dizziness
 Diarrhea  Weakness
 Chest or abdominal pain  Irregular pupil size
 Trouble breathing
 Burning or tearing eyes
 Sweating
 Abnormal skin color
 Changes in consciousness
 Burn injuries around the
 Seizures
lips or tongue
 Headache

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 victim’s size, weight, medical condition and age

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 local
emergency number if the victim is unconscious or is having
trouble breathing
 -If the victim is conscious, ask questions:
 What type of poison did the victim ingest, inhale, inject or
come into contact with?
 How much poison did the victim ingest, inhale, inject or
come into contact with?
 When did the poisoning take place (approximate time)?

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

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.

Inhaled Poisons
 Poisoning by inhalation occurs when a person breathes in toxic

fumes
 The danger associated with inhaled poisons makes checking the
safety 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 different
location

Inhaled Poisons (cont.)
 A commonly inhaled poison is carbon monoxide. It is a colorless,

odorless gas
 Carbon monoxide exposure can cause death
 Pale or bluish skin color indicates lack of oxygen, which may
indicate exposure

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 that
fumes are present

Ingested Poisons
 The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

estimates that 76 million people suffer food-borne illnesses each
year 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

Ingested Poisons (cont.)
 Signals of food poisoning include:

 -Nausea
 -Vomiting
 -Abdominal pain
 -Diarrhea
 -Fever
 -Dehydration

Care for Ingested Poisons
 In some cases of ingested poisoning, the Poison Control Center may
instruct 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 or
oven cleaner) or a petroleum product (such as kerosene or
gasoline)
 -Is known to have heart disease

Absorbed Poisons
 An absorbed poison enters the body after it comes in contact

with the skin
 Absorbed poisons come from plants such as poison ivy,
poison oak and poison sumac, as well as from fertilizers and
pesticides used in lawn and plant care

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, seek
advice from a pharmacist or physician
 -If a victim’s 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 any
dry chemicals with a gloved hand

Injected Poisons
 Injected poisons enter the body through the bites or stings of

certain insects, spiders, ticks, marine life, animals and snakes or
as drugs or misused medications injected with a hypodermic
needle.
 Insect and animal bites and stings are the most common sources
of injected poisons
 Care for injected poisons will be discussed later in Ch17 and 18

Anaphylaxis
 Severe allergic reactions to poisons are rare. But when one occurs, it
is a life-threatening medical emergency. This reaction is called
anaphylaxis.
 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

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

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 certain
substances may carry an anaphylaxis kit
 The kit contains a dose of epinephrine that can be injected into
the body to counteract the anaphylactic reaction
 In some cases, you may need to assist the victim in using his or
her kit

Epi Pen
 Auto-Injector:
 Carry dose of epinephrine (aka adrenaline) to counteract
anaphylactic reaction.
 Both a kit and auto-injector are by prescription ONLY
PRACTICE USE

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 have
come in contact with a poison

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 victim’s size, weight, medical condition and age
 For suspected poisoning call the national number of the Poison
Control Center or 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
 Follow the directions of poison control center personnel or the
EMS call taker
 Questions?


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Chapter 16: Poisoning

 A poison is any substance that can cause injury, illness or

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 The severity of a poisoning depends on:

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 General guidelines of care for any poisoning emergency:

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 -Remove from source

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 Call the National Poison Control Center at

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 Poisoning by inhalation occurs when a person breathes in toxic

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 A commonly inhaled poison is carbon monoxide. It is a colorless,

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 Signals of food poisoning include:

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 An absorbed poison enters the body after it comes in contact

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 Injected poisons enter the body through the bites or stings of

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

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

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 Both a kit and auto-injector are by prescription ONLY

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

 -Keep household products and meds away from children

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION

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