CORE INFORMATION

• Introduction
• Links to specific poisoning information
• Epidemiology
• History
  • Past medical history
  • Previous self-poisonings
  • Other drug use
  • Source of medication
  • Suicidal intent
  • Time and type of exposure
• Physical examination
• Investigations
  • Arterial blood gases
  • Blood glucose
  • Drug concentrations
  • ECG
  • Electrolytes, creatinine, liver function tests
  • Urinary drug screen
• Information regarding toxicity
• Differential diagnosis
  • Acidosis
  • The anticholinergic syndrome
  • Bradyarrhythmias
  • Hallucinations/delirium
  • Hypotension and bradycardia
  • Multiorgan failure
  • Seizures
  • The sympathomimetic syndrome
  • Tachyarrhythmias
  • Unconsciousness
• Management of patients refusing treatment
• Treatment
  • Decontamination
    • Activated charcoal
    • Emesis
    • Gastric lavage
    • Whole bowel irrigation (lavage)
  • Enhancing elimination
    • Alkaline diuresis & ion trapping
    • Charcoal haemoperfusion
    • Haemodialysis
    • Repeated doses of activated charcoal
    • Whole bowel irrigation
  • Supportive treatment
    • Anticoagulation
    • Intubation and ventilation
    • Nursing care
    • Thiamine
  • Specific complications
    • Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
    • Aspiration pneumonia
    • Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest
    • Delirium
    • Paralytic Ileus
    • Status epilepticus

05-Jun-98 3:37:09 PM. Reviewed IMW 2/6/02