Question 1

During a hike in the desert,your friend is bitten by a rattlesnake.You are preparing her for transport to an emergency facility.What guideline should you follow?

Accepted Answer

Lying down helps to slow the spread of venom through the body by keeping the bite site at or below the level of the heart, reducing the risk of shock and allowing for easier transport.

Question 2

Three common routes of poisoning are ingestion,inhalation,and absorption.What is an example of the fourth route of poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Snakebites represent an example of injection, which is the fourth common route of poisoning. This route involves the direct introduction of toxins into the bloodstream or tissues through a puncture or bite.

Question 3

Five-year-old Meredith has eaten dishwasher detergent "pods" that are very caustic.Would making her vomit be a good idea?

Accepted Answer

Making Meredith vomit after ingesting caustic dishwasher detergent pods could cause severe tissue damage when the caustic agents are vomited back up. It is best to seek immediate medical attention instead.

Question 4

You are preparing an insecticide for use in your garden when you splash some on your skin.You should rinse your skin under running water for .

Accepted Answer

Rinsing the skin under running water for 20 minutes is recommended in case of exposure to chemicals like insecticides to ensure thorough removal and minimize the risk of skin irritation or chemical burns.

Question 5

How should a stinger from an insect bite be treated?

Accepted Answer

Scraping the stinger out with something rigid, like the edge of a credit card, is recommended to avoid squeezing more venom into the skin, which can happen if tweezers are used.

Question 6

First aid for snake bites should include .

Accepted Answer

The best first aid for snake bites is to transport the victim, lying down, to an emergency facility as quickly as possible. Keeping the victim upright or moving can increase the spread of venom, and using a tight tourniquet can further damage the affected limb. Rubbing the site vigorously with ice can also worsen the situation. Seeking professional medical help is crucial in case of a snake bite.

Question 7

You are going to babysit your two-year-old niece and your somewhat anxious sister is quizzing you on safety procedures.She asks what you would do first in case of suspected poisoning.What should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

The first step in case of suspected poisoning is to call poison control. They have trained professionals who can provide immediate advice on what to do next and determine if medical attention is necessary. It is important to never try to make the child vomit or give them anything to drink without first consulting the experts at poison control. The child's doctor may also be a resource for advice, but poison control should be the first point of contact.

Question 8

Inhalation of an insect spray may require .

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of an insect spray can cause respiratory distress and other symptoms that are treated with an antidote such as atropine. Inducing vomiting, packing with activated charcoal, or using gastric lavage would not be effective in treating the symptoms of inhalation.

Question 9

Six-year-old Ryker was born with serious heart defects that have been partially corrected by surgery.He is still very fragile,however,and must take a variety of medications before his next surgery.Ryker has just emptied out and swallowed all of his medications.Is it safe to induce vomiting?

Accepted Answer

Inducing vomiting in persons with severe heart disease can cause adverse cardiovascular events. In Ryker's case, since he has serious heart defects and is still fragile, inducing vomiting can be dangerous and should be avoided. Instead, seek immediate medical attention and guidance from a healthcare professional.

Question 10

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that ipecac .

Accepted Answer

The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends the routine use of ipecac for poisoning as studies have shown that its use does not improve outcomes and can have harmful side effects. It is best to call poison control or seek medical attention immediately in case of poisoning.

Question 11

Callers to poison control centers should be prepared to give details regarding the poison and the victim's age,weight and ____.

Accepted Answer

Poison control centers need to know the victim's age, weight, and health status to determine the appropriate treatment and dosage for the poison. The victim's state of mind, cognitive function, and emotional stability are important factors that can be evaluated by medical professionals but not necessarily required in the initial phone call to a poison control center.

Question 12

Three-year-old Mack has swallowed a skin cleaner that contains iodine.If Mack is made to vomit,he .

Accepted Answer

The answer of Three-year-old Mack has swallowed a skin cleaner...

Question 13

Kaitlyn squirted an entire can of lighter fluid into her mouth and swallowed it.Should vomiting be induced?

Accepted Answer

Vomiting after ingesting a volatile petroleum product, like lighter fluid, can lead to aspiration of the product into the lungs, causing chemical pneumonia or asphyxiation. Inducing vomiting in such cases is dangerous.

Question 14

David was trapped in a mine and exposed to carbon monoxide for a prolonged period.Upon rescue,he was treated with hyperbaric oxygen.Why?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing the transportation of oxygen to the body's tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen at high pressure, which increases the oxygen concentration in the blood and promotes its delivery to the tissues. This helps to reverse the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and restores oxygen levels in the tissues.

Question 15

The use of gastric lavage in persons who have swallowed corrosives may .

Accepted Answer

Gastric lavage involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose into the stomach to remove the contents of the stomach. In the case of corrosive poisoning, gastric lavage can potentially cause further damage to the already injured tissues of the esophagus and stomach, leading to perforation. Therefore, it is not recommended as a routine treatment for corrosive ingestion. Instead, treatment may involve neutralizing the corrosive substance with an appropriate antidote or administering supportive care measures such as pain management and intravenous fluids. Convulsions and seizures are not typically associated with gastric lavage.

Question 16

Derek is preparing a talk on poisoning and because his time is limited,wants to cover only the most common route.On what route should he focus?

Accepted Answer

Ingestion is the most common route of poisoning, as it involves swallowing a toxic substance. This can happen accidentally or intentionally, and can occur through the ingestion of food, drinks, or medication. Focusing on this route will give Derek the most relevant and important information for his talk.

Question 17

Activated charcoal may be given to .

Accepted Answer

Activated charcoal is commonly used to minimize systemic absorption of ingested toxins by adsorbing them in the gastrointestinal tract. It does not induce vomiting, act as an antidote, or stop seizures.

Question 18

Systemic absorption of poisons through the skin may require .

Accepted Answer

Systemic absorption of poisons through the skin requires administration of an antidote which neutralizes or reverses the effects of the poison in the body. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for decompression sickness and some other conditions. Induction of vomiting and gastric lavage are used for the removal of ingested poisons from the stomach and are not effective in cases where the poison has already been absorbed through the skin.

Question 19

One of the drawbacks of using activated charcoal is that it .

Accepted Answer

Activated charcoal has been known to interfere with the action of certain medications and antidotes, such as those used to treat seizures or heart problems. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before using activated charcoal alongside any other medications or treatments.

Question 20

Madison has ingested an poison.You don't know what the poison is,but you do notice signs of chemical burns around her mouth.What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Signs of chemical burns around the mouth indicate that inducing vomiting could cause further damage to Madison's already compromised esophagus and mouth. Therefore, vomiting should NOT be induced. It is also important to seek medical attention immediately.

Quiz 10: Poison Control Part II: Drug Classifications