Objectives:

At the end of this module, the participants will be able to:

1. Define what is a poison
2. Enumerate what route poisons enter the body
3. Know the different signs and symptoms of different types
of poisoning
4. Know the first aid measures for different types of
poisoning
Is any substance: solid, liquid or gas, that tends to
impair health or cause death when introduced into
the body or into the skin surface. A poisoning
emergency can be life threatening.
 Causes:

1. Common Suicide Attempts

2. Occasional accidental poisoning
Ways in Which Poisoning May
Occur
INGESTION – by mouth
INHALATION – by breathing
INJECTION – by animal bites, sting or syringe
ABSORPTION – by skin contact
 Common Household
Poisons
1. Sleeping pills
2. Pain Relievers
3. Insect and rodent poisons
4. Kerosene
5. Denatured alcohol
6. Lye and acids including boric acid
7. Poisonous plants
8. Contaminated water
9. Fume (e.g. muriatic acid, LPG, insecticides)
 Ingested Poison
• Is one that is introduced into the digestive
tract by way of the mouth.
• One form of ingestion poisoning is
• food poisoning, a general form that covers
a wide variety of conditions

Suspect Food poisoning if:

1. The victim ate food that “didn’t taste right”
or that may have been old, improperly
prepared, contaminated, left at room
temperature for a long time, or processed
with an excessive amount of chemicals
 Ingested poisons…

2. Several people who ate together became ill

Signs and Symptoms

• Altered mental status
• History of ingesting poisons
• Burns around the mouth
• Odd breath odors
• Nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
 Ingested poisons…

Instances when vomiting should not be

induced:
1. If unresponsive.
2. Cannot maintain an airway.
3. Has ingested an corrosive liquids (acids or strong
base), petroleum products such as gasoline or
furniture polish.
4. Has a medical condition that could be
complicated by vomiting such as heart attack,
seizures and pregnancy.
 Ingested poisons…

First Aid:
• Try to identify the poison.
• Place victim on his or her left side.
• Monitor ABC’s.
• Save any empty container of the spoiled food
for analysis.
• Save any vomitus and keep it with the victim if
he or she has been taken to an emergency
facility.
 INHALED POISON
Is poison breathed into the lungs.

Signs and Symptoms:

1. History of inhaling poisons
2. Breathing difficulty
3. Chest pain
4. Cough, hoarseness, burning sensation of the throat
5. Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous
membranes
6. Dizziness, headache
7. Seizures, unresponsiveness (advanced stages)
 INHALED POISON…

First Aid
1. Remove the victim from the toxic environment and into
fresh air immediately.
2. Monitor ABC’s.
3. Seek medical attention.
 ABSORBED POISON
Is a poison that enters the body through the skin.

Signs and Symptoms

• History of exposures.
• Liquid or powder on the skin.
• Burns
• Itching, irritation.
• Redness, rash, blisters.
First Aid for Absorption Poisoning
1. Remove the clothing.
2. Then with a dry cloth blot the poison from the skin.
If the poison is a dry powder, brush it off.
3. Flood the area with copious amounts of water.
4. Continually monitor the patient’s vital signs.
 INJECTED POISON
Is poison that enters the body through a bite, sting, or syringe.
Insect Bites
Signs and Symptoms
• Stinger may be present.
• Pain
• Swelling
• Possible allergic reaction.

First Aid for Insect Bites

1. Remove stinger.
2. Wash wound.
3. Cover the wound.
4. Apply a cold pack.
5. Watch for signals of allergic reaction.
 Spider Bite/Scorpion Sting
Signs and Symptoms
• Bite mark.
• Swelling
• Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
First Aid for Spider bite / Scorpion sting
1. Wash wound.
2. Apply a cold pack
3. Get medical care to receive antivenin.
4. Call local emergency number, if necessary.
 Marine Life Stings
Signs and Symptoms
• Possible marks
• Pain
• Swelling
• Possible allergic reaction.

First Aid for Marine Life stings

1. If jellyfish – soak area in vinegar (15-30 minutes)
2. If sting ray – soak in nonscalding hot water until pain goes away.
3. Clean and bandage the wound. Box Jellyfish
4. Call local emergency number, if necessary. Sea Urchin
sting
stings
 Snake Bites
Signs and Symptoms
• Possible marks
• Pain

First Aid for Snake bites

Rattlesnake Bite
1. Wash wound.
2. Keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart.
3. Call local emergency number.
 Comparative Characteristics of Snakes
NON-
VENOMOUS
VENOMOUS
Concertina, side Semi-concertina
Movement locomotion winding curvature

Head Semi-triangular Rounded or Oblong

Body profile Rectangular Circular

Skin Rough Smooth
Pupil Vertical Round
Way/Manner
Non constrictor Constrictor
of attack
Bite marks With fang marks Horseshoe shape
 Human and Animal Bites
Signs and Symptoms
• Bite mark
• Bleeding
First Aid for Human and Animal Bites
1. If bleeding is minor – wash wound.
2. Control bleeding.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment.
4. Cover the wound.
5. Get medical attention if wound bleeds severely or if you
suspect animal has rabies.
6. Call local emergency number or contact animal control
personnel.
 DRUG ABUSE
Is the self-administration of one or more drugs in a way that is
not in accord with approved medical or social practice.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Life-threatening emergency
• Unresponsiveness
• Abnormal or irregular pulse.
• Fever
• Breathing difficulties or
inability to maintain an open
airway.
• Vomiting with an altered mental
status or without gag reflex.
• Seizures
 2. High Priority for Transport
• Altered mental status
• Extremely low or high blood pressure
• Sweating tremors, and hallucinations (with alcohol withdrawal)

• Digestive problems, including abdominal pain and bleeding

• Visual disturbance, slurred speech, uncoordinated muscle
movement
• Disinterested behavior, loss of memory
• Combativeness
• Paranoia
 First Aid for Drug Emergencies
1. Establish and maintain an open airway.

2. Monitor the patient’s mental status and vital signs frequently.

3. Maintain the patient’s body temperature.

4. Take measures to prevent shock

5. Care for any behavioral problem.

6. Support the patient.

 ALCOHOL
Is a powerful Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant.
Signs of Intoxication
• Odor of alcohol on the breath
• Swaying and unsteadiness
• Slurred speech
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flushed face.
• Drowsiness.
• Violent, destructive, or erratic behavior
• Self-injury, usually without realizing it
 First Aid for Alcohol Emergencies
1. Give the same attention as you would to any patient
with an illness or injury
2. Monitor the patient’s vital signs constantly. Provide life
support when necessary
3. Position the patient to avoid aspiration of vomitus.
4. Protect the patient from hurting him or herself.