first aid

1. Chapter 18
Poisoning

2. Poisons
• Types
− Ingested
− Inhaled
− Injected
− Absorbed (contact)
• Forms
− Solids
− Liquids
− Sprays
− Gases

3. Poisons Found in the Home
• Antifreeze and
windshield washer
• Some medicines
• Corrosive cleaners
• Fuels
• Pesticides
© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

4. Ingested Poisons: What to Do
• Call Poison Help 1-800-222-1222.
• Follow their directions.
Courtesy of the American Association of Poison Control Centers. To locate
your local poison center call 1 (800) 222-1222 or visit aapcc.org.

5. Ingested Poisons: What to Do
• Place the person on his or her left side.
• Monitor breathing; if it stops, give CPR.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

6. Alcohol Emergencies
• Alcohol is a depressant.
• Alcohol affects a
person’s:
− Judgment
− Vision
− Reaction time
− Coordination
• Can cause death
© Doug Menuez/Photodisc/Getty.

7. Alcohol Intoxication:
What to Look For
• Odor of alcohol on
breath or clothing
• Unsteadiness
• Slurred speech
• Inability to carry on
a conversation
• Nausea and
vomiting
• Flushed face
• Seizures

8. Drug Classifications
• Uppers (stimulants)
• Downers (depressants)
• Hallucinogens
• Inhalants

22. Depressants
• Easy to obtain
• People sometimes solicit prescriptions
from several physicians.
• Includes:
− Opiates
− Sedative-hypnotics

23. Opiate Overdose:
What to Look For
• Reduced breathing rate
• Pinpoint pupils
• Sedated condition and unresponsiveness

24. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Carbon monoxide is:
− Odorless
− Colorless
− Nonirritating
− Produced by the incomplete combustion of
carbon-based fuels

25. Carbon Monoxide Sources
• Cars
• Cigarettes
• Faulty furnaces
• Water heaters
• Kerosene heaters
• Open-flame fires
• Charcoal grills
• Hibachi grills

26. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
What to Look For
• Headache
• Ringing in ears
• Chest pain
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness
• Unresponsiveness
• Respiratory and
cardiac arrest
• Cherry-red skin
and lips

27. Plant-Induced Dermatitis
• About 85% of the population is sensitive to
poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
• The resin of these plants is a colorless or
slightly yellow, light oil.
− Spreads by direct contact
− Can stay active for months or years

32. Plant-Induced Dermatitis:
What to Do
• If within 1 hour of an exposure
− Gently wipe skin with rubbing alcohol.
− Wash skin with soap and cold water. Rinse
with cold water.
− Do not use gasoline.

37. Plant-Induced Dermatitis:
What to Do
• For mild reaction (itching):
− Apply any of the following:
• Colloidal oatmeal bath
• Baking soda paste
• Calamine lotion
• Aluminum acetate solution
• Physician-prescribed medication
• Over-the-counter hydrocortisone