POISONING

&

DRUG
OVERDOSE
Life lives, life dies. Life laughs, life cries. Life gives up and life tries. But life looks different throu
gh everyone's eyes.
 OBJECTIVE
At the end of this session, you will be able:

 To define poisoning and Overdose and its

symptoms, preventions and treatments.
 To differentiate Poisoning And Overdose.
 To better understand the patient's
condition and caller's emotions.
Overview
 Poisoning is a significant global public health problem. In
2Oth century an estimated 350,000 people died worldwide
from unintentional poisoning. In 2009, unintentional
poisoning was the 9th most common cause of death
globally in young adults (15-29 years), and in this age
group it was the 6th most common cause of death in India
and the 9th most common in China. More than 94% of fatal
poisonings occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
 Accurate global figures are also lacking for intentional self-
poisoning. In 2010, approximately a million people died as
a result of suicide, and possibly as many as a quarter of
these deaths resulted from ingestion of chemicals.
OVERDOSE

 Overdose is the accidental or

intentional use of a drug or
medicine in an amount that is
higher than is normally used.
 POISONING
Poison is anything that kills or
injures through its chemical
actions. Most poisons are
swallowed (ingested). The
word poison comes from the
Latin word - potage - meaning
to drink. But poisons can also
enter the body in other ways:
By breathing

• Through the skin

• By IV injection

• From exposure to radiation

• Venom from a snake bite etc.

 
 PROGNOSIS
 While many victims of drug overdose/poison
recover without long term effects, there can be
serious consequences. Some drug overdose/poison
cause the failure of major organs like the kidneys or
liver, or failure of whole systems like the
respiratory or circulatory systems. Patients who
survive drug overdose/poison may need kidney
dialysis, kidney or liver transplant, or ongoing care
as a result of heart failure, stroke, or coma. Death
can occur in almost any drug overdose situation,
particularly if treatment is not started immediately.
 Safety Issues

The first priority in

helping a poisoned
patient is for
bystanders not to
become poisoned  In chemical spills, all
themselves. People
exposed to a toxic gas contaminated clothing
should be removed should be removed
from the source immediately. The skin
quickly, preferably should be thoroughly
out into fresh air. washed with soap and
water. If the eyes have
been exposed, they should
be thoroughly flushed
with water or saline.
Rescuers must be careful
to avoid contaminating
themselves.
 DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of a drug overdose/
poison may be based on the
symptoms that develop,
however, the drug may do
extensive damage to the body
before significant symptoms
develop. If the patient is
conscious, he or she may be
able to tell what drugs were
taken and in what amounts.
The patient's recent medical
and social history may also
help in a diagnosis.
 Symptoms

The signs and symptoms seen in poisoning/overdose are

so wide and variable that there is no easy way to classify
them.
 Some poisons/drugs overdose enlarge the pupils, while
others shrink them.
 Some result in excessive drooling, while others dry the
mouth and skin.
 Some speed the heart, while others slow the heart.
 Some increase the breathing rate, while others slow it.
 Some cause pain, while others are painless.
 Some cause hyperactivity, while others cause drowsiness.
 Most common Signs

 
 The most common signs of
poisoning/drug overdose
are sleepiness, headache,
dizziness, a lot of sweating,
not seeing clearly, throwing
up, muscle pain, stomach
ache, nausea, vomiting,
pain, trouble breathing,
confusion or abnormal skin
color and cramps.
Clinical Signs
 When to Seek Medical Care
Go to your hospital's emergency
department if any of the following
symptoms occurs:
 If someone looks ill after a
Overdose/poisoning or possible poisoning.
 An infant or toddler who may have
ingested a poison, even if the child looks
and feels fine.
 Anyone who has taken something in an
attempt to harm himself or herself, even if
the substance used is not known to be
harmful.
 When you go to the hospital's emergency
department, take all the medicine bottles,
containers (household cleaners, paint cans,
vitamin bottles), or samples of the substance
with you.
First Aid
Immediate first aid is very
important in a
poisoning/drugs overdose
emergency. The first aid you
give before getting medical
help can save a person's
life.
 Clear Airway
•Assessment and monitor the patient's airway and breathing
to making sure that the trachea, the passage to the lungs,
isAssessment and monitor the patient's airway and breathing
to making sure that the trachea, the passage to the lungs, is
not blocked. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR
•Assessment of the patient's heart rate,
blood pressure, body temperature, and
other physical signs that might indicate the
effects of the drug/poison.
 Continue First Aid
If the person swallowed the poison, remove anything remaining in the mouth.
If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your fingers
before cleaning out the mouth and throat.
If the person starts having convulsion, give convulsions first aid .
Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto the left side,
and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help.
 If the poison has spilled on the person's clothes, remove the clothing and flush
the skin with cool or lukewarm water, such as by using a shower for 20 minutes or
until help arrives.
If the person has been exposed to poisonous fumes, such as carbon monoxide,
get him or her into fresh air immediately.
The airway of an unconscious patient must be constantly maintained.
 DO’S & DONT’S
 To prevent accidental poisoning, drugs should be kept in
their original containers. Other preventive measures include
clearly labeling household products, storing drugs and toxic
substances in cabinets that are locked and out of the reach
of children. Expired drugs should be disposed and putting
them in a trash container that is inaccessible to children. All
labels should be read before taking or giving any drugs or
using household products.
 Don't assume over-the-counter medications are safe even if
taken in excess.
 With many pills, it may take several hours or longer for
symptoms to develop. Do not wait for symptoms to
develop.
Treatment
 Treatment:

 Some people who have been poisoned must be hospitalized. With

prompt medical care, most recover fully.
 The usual goal of hospital treatment is to keep people alive until
the poison disappears or is inactivated by the body. In this
procedure, a tube (NG-tube) is inserted through the mouth or
nose into the stomach. Water is poured into the stomach through
the tube and is then drained out. This procedure is repeated
several times, If a poisoning remains life threatening, more
complicated treatments may be needed.
 Poisoning often requires additional treatment, termed supportive
care, designed to stabilize the heart, blood pressure, and
breathing until the poison disappears or is inactivated.
 People who attempt suicide by poisoning need mental health
evaluation and appropriate treatment
The case entry questions will help to determine the
necessity of mobile responce
Determinant descriptors:
 IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
1. Antidepressants:
An antidepressant is
a medication used to
alivate mode
disorder.
2. Cocaine:
Cocaine is a drug
and it is made from
the leaves of coca
plant.
 Methamphethamine:
It is a white orderless, bitter
tasting powder that taken orally
and by snorting or injecting, it is
very addictive stimulant, long
lasting antoxic to nerves in
nervous system.

 Narcotics: Natural opioid drugs

that dulls the sense of pain and
causes drowsiness and sleep. It
made from a thick white syrup
of an asian plant caleed opium
poppy.
 Axioms
 Because overdose/poison patients have a motive for
their actions, they are frequently misleading about the
time, amount or type of medication taken.
 Antidepresant can cause collapse and unconciousness
very quickly.
 The ability of cocaine to induce strokes and heart
attacks quickly.
 Methampethamine is an addictive stimulant that can
cause serious consequence that require ALS care.
 Narcotics can cause a rapid loss of conciousness and
respiratory arrest.
 Cardiac medication can cause collapse and
unconciousness very quickly, even though the patient
may initially appear to be allright.
 Suffixes:
 The codes helps to deliniate the type of
problem for specific response and safety
purpose.

 A= Accidential
 I = Intentional
 V= Violent
 GENDER WISE REPORT
136
140
120
120

100

80

60

40 25

20

0
MALE FEMALE CHILD
STATION WISE COMPARISON
60
51
50 45

40 36

30 31 36
26
20 19
20
10 16

0
1 2 3 5 1
6 7 8 9 10 11
Determinant Counts

27 6
64

184

delta charlie bravo alpha omega

CONCLUSION
The objective of this study is to define
the characteristics of the
patients applying to the emergency
department because of poisoning and
drug overdose!
THANK YOU

REGARDS…..

ADNAN AHMED