Anaesthesia | Patient specific populations | Management of common specific poisons

Management of Common Specific Poisons
Session Overview
Description
This session outlines the basic management of the patient who has been exposed to poisons. It reviews the important points of patient history taking and examination as well as the general principles of management.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the initial assessment and management of the poisoned patient
• Explain the physiological effects of common poisons on the body
• List the physiological effects of these toxic poisons
• Define strategies for the treatment of common poisons
• Know where to obtain information to help with the management of acute poisons

The causes of acute poisoning vary in different countries depending on the availability of drugs.

In the UK, paracetamol and tricyclic antidepressant overdoses are more common than in developing countries where organophosphate may be more prevalent.

The management of any poisoned patient relies on generally supportive measures to preserve vital organ functions until the toxin is eliminated. However, with some poisons there are also specific antidotes and treatments that can be used to aid this process.