The Poisoned patient in the ED

Topic outline

• Select topic Lesson 1 Introduction to the poisoned patient

  Lesson 1 Introduction to the poisoned patient

  Collapse all Expand all

  
  

  Objectives

  During this lesson the candidate will :

  • Gain an understanding of how supportive care and attention to airway, breathing and circulation is the cornerstone of managing poisoned patients
  • Appreciate that decontamination has a specific role in managing poisoned cases
  • Understand the concept of and importance of risk assessment in managing the poisoned patient
    

  
  

  Introduction

  Poisoning is a relatively common reason for presentation to ED in Australia. The most common sub category is deliberate self poisoning with pharmaceuticals. Most patients can be managed with a combination of supportive care, risk assessment and in select cases the use of an antidote. When compared with prototypical ED patients with acute medical presentations, poisoned patients tend to be younger, have less co morbidities and in most cases do not represent any diagnostic dilemma as the reason for presentation is in many cases evident from the substances ingested. This lesson will explore some of these concepts.
  

  Instructions

  1. Listen to the introductory talk below
  2. Work through the introductory lesson resources
  3. Attempt the case scenario questions

  
  

  
  

  • Select activity Assessment and management of the poisoned patient in the ED

    

    Assessment and management of the poisoned patient in the ED Page

    A short talk outlining the principles of how to approach the poisoned patient in the ED.

  • Select activity Introductory Lesson Resources

    

    Introductory Lesson Resources Page

    Reading material to be reviewed prior to attempting scenario questions and some optional extra material.

  • Select activity Case Scenario and Questions

    

    Case Scenario and Questions Quiz
• Select topic Lesson 2 Paracetamol Poisoning

  Lesson 2 Paracetamol Poisoning

  Objectives
  

  During this lesson you will gain an understanding of :

  1. The mechanism of paracetamol toxicity
  2. Risk assessing paracetamol toxicity scenarios
  3. Treatment strategies for the varying paracetamol toxicity scenarios

  Introduction

  Paracetamol is the most common toxin ingestion reported to poisons centres and managed in inpatient toxicology services within Australia. In addition to acute overdose there are a number of other situations where paracetamol can cause toxicity. The mortality rate is low when appropriate management is initiated promptly.

  Instructions

  1. Work through the Paracetamol lesson resources
  2. Attempt the case scenario questions

  
  

  
  

  
  

  • Select activity Paracetamol Lesson Resources

    

    Paracetamol Lesson Resources Page
  • Select activity Case scenarios and questions

    

    Case scenarios and questions Quiz
• Select topic Topic 2

  Topic 2
• Select topic Topic 3

  Topic 3
• Select topic Topic 4

  Topic 4
• Select topic Topic 5

  Topic 5
• Select topic Topic 6

  Topic 6
• Select topic Topic 7

  Topic 7
• Select topic Topic 8

  Topic 8
• Select topic Topic 9

  Topic 9
• Select topic Topic 10

  Topic 10
• Select topic Topic 11

  Topic 11
• Select topic Topic 12

  Topic 12