Loudoun County Public Schools



Chapter 14PoisonsA poison is any substance that impairs health or causes death by its chemical action when it enters the body or comes in contact with the skinIngested PoisonsIngested poisoning occurs when the victim swallows a toxic substanceRecognizing Ingested PoisoningThe signs of ingested poisoning include the following:Abdominal pain and crampingNausea or vomitingDiarrheaBurns, odor, or stains around and in the mouthDrowsiness or unresponsivenessPoison container nearbyCare for Ingested PoisonsTo care for victims who have ingested poisons:Determine the following:The age and size of the victimWhat was swallowed (read container label; save vomit for analysis)How much was swallowed (for example, a dozen tablets)When it was swallowedFor a responsive victim call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222For an unresponsive victim, open the victim’s airway, check breathing, and treat accordingly. Call 9-1-1.Alcohol and Other Drug EmergenciesPoisoning caused by an overdose or abuse of medications and other substances, including alcohol, is common. The most commonly abused drug in the United States is AlcoholRecognizing Alcohol IntoxicationHelping an intoxicated person can be difficult because the person may be belligerent or combative. The victim’s condition may be quite serious, even life threatening.Signs indicate alcohol intoxication:The odor of alcohol on a person’s breath or clothingUnsteadiness, staggeringConfusionSlurred speechNausea and vomitingFlushed faceCare for Alcohol IntoxicationTo care for alcohol intoxication:If victim is responsive:Monitor breathingCall poison control center for adviceLook for injuriesPlace in recovery position (left side).If victim is unresponsive, open airway, check breathing, and treat accordingly. Call 9-1-1Recognizing Drug OverdoseSigns of a drug:Drowsiness, anxiety, agitation, or hyperactivityChange In pupil size ConfusionHallucinationsCare for Drug OverdoseCare for drug overdose is the same as that for alcohol intoxication.Inhaled PoisoningCarbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning victims are often unaware of the gas’s presence. The gas is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and nonirritatingRecognizing Inhaled PoisoningSigns of inhaled poisoning:Headache Ringing in the earsChest painMuscle weaknessNausea and VomitingDizziness and visual changes (blurred or double vision)UnresponsivenessCare for Inhaled PoisoningTo care for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning:Get the victim out of the toxic environment and into fresh air.Call 9-1-1.Monitor breathingTry to determine what substance was involvedChemical Safety at the WorksiteMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) list the hazardous ingredients of products, as well as characteristics, effects on human health, and treatment for exposurePlant PoisoningAbout 50% of people exposed to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are allergic to the plant and will react to it.Recognizing Plant PoisoningAn allergic reaction usually occurs 24 to 72 hours after contactThe signs of plant poisoning include the following:RashItchingRednessBlistersSwellingCare for Plant PoisoningTo care for plant poisoning:People who know they have been in contact with a poisonous plant should wash the affected area with soap and cold water as soon as possible to remove oily resin or should be apply rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol liberally (not in swab-type dabs).For a mild reaction, have the victim soak in a lukewarm bath sprinkled with 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or apply one of the following:Calamine lotion ( calamine ointment if the skin becomes dry and cracked)Baking soda paste: 1 teaspoon of water mixed with 3 teaspoons of baking sodaFor a more severe reaction, care for the skin as you would for a mild reaction, a prescribed corticosteroid may be neededChapter 14PoisonsA poison is any substance that impairs health or causes death by its chemical action when it enters the body or comes in contact with the skinIngested PoisonsIngested poisoning occurs when ________________________________________________Recognizing Ingested PoisoningThe signs of ingested poisoning include the following:Abdominal pain and cramping________________________________________________DiarrheaBurns, odor, or stains around and in the mouth________________________________________________Poison container nearbyCare for Ingested PoisonsTo care for victims who have ingested poisons:Determine the following:________________________________________________What was swallowed (read container label; save vomit for analysis)How much was swallowed (for example, a dozen tablets)________________________________________________For a responsive victim call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222For an unresponsive victim, open the victim’s airway, check breathing, and treat accordingly. Call 9-1-1.Alcohol and Other Drug EmergenciesPoisoning caused by an overdose or abuse of medications and other substances, including alcohol, is common. The most commonly abused drug in the United States is AlcoholRecognizing Alcohol IntoxicationHelping an intoxicated person can be difficult because the person may be belligerent or combative. The victim’s condition may be quite serious, even life threatening.Signs indicate alcohol intoxication:The odor of alcohol on a person’s breath or clothing________________________________________________Confusion________________________________________________Nausea and vomitingFlushed faceCare for Alcohol IntoxicationTo care for alcohol intoxication:If victim is responsive:________________________________________________Call poison control center for advice________________________________________________Place in recovery position (left side).If victim is unresponsive, open airway, check breathing, and treat accordingly. Call 9-1-1Recognizing Drug OverdoseSigns of a drug:Drowsiness, anxiety, agitation, or hyperactivity________________________________________________________________________________________________HallucinationsCare for Drug OverdoseCare for drug overdose is the same as that for alcohol intoxication.Inhaled PoisoningCarbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning victims are often unaware of the gas’s presence. The gas is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and nonirritatingRecognizing Inhaled PoisoningSigns of inhaled poisoning:________________________________________________Ringing in the ears________________________________________________________________________________________________Nausea and VomitingDizziness and visual changes (blurred or double vision)UnresponsivenessCare for Inhaled PoisoningTo care for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning:Get the victim out of the toxic environment and into fresh air.________________________________________________Monitor breathingTry to determine what substance was involvedChemical Safety at the WorksiteMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) list the hazardous ingredients of products, as well as characteristics, effects on human health, and treatment for exposurePlant PoisoningAbout 50% of people exposed to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are allergic to the plant and will react to it.Recognizing Plant PoisoningAn allergic reaction usually occurs 24 to 72 hours after contactThe signs of plant poisoning include the following:________________________________________________Itching________________________________________________BlistersSwellingCare for Plant PoisoningTo care for plant poisoning:People who know they have been in contact with a poisonous plant should wash the affected area with soap and cold water as soon as possible to remove oily resin or should be apply rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol liberally (not in swab-type dabs).For a mild reaction, have the victim soak in a lukewarm bath sprinkled with 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or apply one of the following:Calamine lotion ( calamine ointment if the skin becomes dry and cracked)Baking soda paste: 1 teaspoon of water mixed with 3 teaspoons of baking sodaFor a more severe reaction, care for the skin as you would for a mild reaction, a prescribed corticosteroid may be needed ................
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