Patient Assessment

The following key questions should be asked in a focused history:

• What and how much was the patient exposed to (volume and concentration)?
• What was the route of exposure (inhalation, skin exposure or immersion)?
• What protective measures were taken?
• What treatment was given?

From the above factors, the likely effects and clinical course may be predicted:

• For all poisoned patients, once decontaminated, the focus is on resuscitation and support of vital functions
• Most poisons do not have antidotes and so standard resuscitative principles will apply
• The only exception is a known poisoning with paraquat where excess oxygen can increase long term pulmonary fibrosis however the patient should not be allowed to be excessively hypoxic as this too can be fatal