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wikitox:introduction [2024/04/25 23:13] – kharriswikitox:introduction [2025/02/24 20:45] (current) – kharris
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-\\ +====== The Toxicology Patient ======
-\\ +
-\\ +
- <font 36px/inherit;;#c12b04;;inherit>Approach to The Toxicology Patient</font> +
- +
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 ===== Overview ===== ===== Overview =====
  
-This section will give a brief overview to the toxicology patient covering initial approach, risk assessment, examination, investigations and treamtents.+This section will give a brief overview to the toxicology patient covering initial approach, risk assessment, examination, investigations and treatments.
  
-Links are provided to more in depth discussion of some topics patricualrly treatment modalities.+Links are provided to more in depth discussion of some topics particularly treatment modalities.
  
 ===== Toxicoepidemiology ===== ===== Toxicoepidemiology =====
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 ===== Approach to the Toxicology Patient ===== ===== Approach to the Toxicology Patient =====
  
-The following paper gives a summary of factors that need to be considered when assessing and manging to toxicology patient.+The following paper gives a summary of factors that need to be considered when assessing and managing to toxicology patient.
  
 Daly FF, Little M, Murray L. A risk assessment based approach to the management of acute poisoning. Emerg Med J. 2006 May;23(5):396-9. doi: 10.1136/emj.2005.030312. PMID: 16627846; PMCID: PMC2564094. {{:wikitox:daly_2006_toxicological_risk_assessment.pdf|PDF}} Daly FF, Little M, Murray L. A risk assessment based approach to the management of acute poisoning. Emerg Med J. 2006 May;23(5):396-9. doi: 10.1136/emj.2005.030312. PMID: 16627846; PMCID: PMC2564094. {{:wikitox:daly_2006_toxicological_risk_assessment.pdf|PDF}}
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   * clinical manifestations since the exposure   * clinical manifestations since the exposure
   * regular medications   * regular medications
-  * relevant co-morbidities+  * relevant co-morbidities - especially renal or liver disease which may affect drug clearance, cardiac or respiratory disease which may increase toxicity for agents that cause cardiac or sedative effects and seizure history.
  
 If the exposure is a deliberate self-poisoning, a mental health risk assessment should also be undertaken. If the exposure is a deliberate self-poisoning, a mental health risk assessment should also be undertaken.
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   * **Blood gas**  analysis to assess gas exchange and metabolic disturbance particularly in patients with altered level of consciousness   * **Blood gas**  analysis to assess gas exchange and metabolic disturbance particularly in patients with altered level of consciousness
 +  * **Blood glucose **especially important in those with an altered level of consciousness
   * **Paracetamol concentration**  is often tested routinely when a patient is not alert enough to give a reliable risk assessment   * **Paracetamol concentration**  is often tested routinely when a patient is not alert enough to give a reliable risk assessment
   * **ECG**  assessing for QT prolongation or evidence of sodium channel blockade   * **ECG**  assessing for QT prolongation or evidence of sodium channel blockade
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 ==== Decontamination ==== ==== Decontamination ====
  
-Decontamination refers to techniques that reduce the exposure to a drug or toxin by reducing absorption. \\ +Decontamination refers to techniques that reduce the exposure to a drug or toxin by reducing absorption. \\ The use of decontamination methods should be based on a risk/benefit assessment. In those cases where the risk of toxicity is high decontamination should be given if the poisoning is amenable to it. Decontamination should always be a lower priority than resuscitation. \\ Methods of decontamination include:
-The use of decontamination methods should be based on a risk/benefit assessment. In those cases where the risk of toxicity is high decontamination should be given if the poisoning is amenable to it. Decontamination should always be a lower priority than resuscitation. \\ +
-Methods of decontamination include:+
  
-• Activated charcoal \\ +• Activated charcoal \\ • Other binding resins \\ • Whole bowel irrigation \\ • Washing skin after dermal exposure
-• Other binding resins \\ +
-• Whole bowel irrigation \\ +
-• Washing skin after dermal exposure+
  
 In general, decontamination can only be performed on a consenting patient. If it is felt the risk of the poisoning is so high that good supportive care or antidote therapy won’t result in a safe outcome it may be necessary to perform decontamination procedures even without consent. This would require intubation and ventilation in most cases. In general, decontamination can only be performed on a consenting patient. If it is felt the risk of the poisoning is so high that good supportive care or antidote therapy won’t result in a safe outcome it may be necessary to perform decontamination procedures even without consent. This would require intubation and ventilation in most cases.