Hypotension/Bradycardia in Poisoning
Hypotension is systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg in adults (with normal parameters adjusted in children depending on age and weight). Bradycardia is a heart rate lower than …
Read MoreAuthor: Poison Sense
Hyperkalemia in Poisoning
Acute acidosis such as due to formic acid from methanol poisoning, lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis CLINICAL MANIFESTATION • Disruption of electrical activity of the heart causes arrhythmias • 8-9 mEq/l …
Read MoreHypokalemia in Poisoning
Potassium loss is accompanied by chloride loss Alkalosis increases cellular uptake of potassium • Excessive doses of insulin increases cellular uptake of potassium • Severe fluid loss through vomiting, diarrhea …
Read MoreMetabolic Alkalosis
•Cause of metabolic alkalosis includes: May be due to net loss of H+ through either the kidney (loss of H+ causes a gain HCO3-, which may occur due to volume …
Read MoreHypertensive Crisis and Hypertensive Emergencies
OVERVIEW Elevated blood pressure in the poisoned patient may or may not be the result of exposure to any toxicant. Other causes of elevated blood pressure may include benzodiazepine or …
Read MorePoison Associated Acute Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal accumulation of extravascular fluid in the lung parenchyma leading to diminished gas exchange at the alveolar level. The accumulation of fluids in the lungs may …
Read MorePoison Induced Seizures/ Agitation
• Rule out hypoglycemia using bed side random blood sugar (Green et al 2005) • In repeated seizures, benzodiazepines are the drug of choice. With benzodiazepines therapy one should be …
Read MoreHypoglycemic Crisis
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION • Serum glucose less than 3.3mmol/dl • All patients presenting with altered mentation should get a bedside blood glucose measurement • Overdose with long acting insulin such as …
Read MoreAlcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Pathophysiology The severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms are thought to result from genetic predisposition, the amount of alcohol taken daily and the duration of sustained ethanol use. Acute alcohol intoxication …
Read MoreHyperglycemia Hyperosmolar State
PATHOPHYSIOLIOLOGY. • Absolute or relative insulin deficiency causes inadequate control of blood glucose concentration leading to severe hyperglycemia, which overwhelms renal glucose homeostasis. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION. • Hyperglycemia with insignificant ketoacidosis …
Read More