A patient who has ingested a toxic substance is to receive activated charcoal. The EMT knows that the charcoal will benefit the patient by:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Activated charcoal works by adsorbing (not absorbing) the toxic substance in the stomach, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. Once bound to the charcoal, it can be eliminated from the body through feces. It does not neutralize the poison in the bloodstream, coat the small intestine, or cause vomiting.

A Patient Who Has Ingested a Toxic Substance Is to Receive