Definition of Poisoning – Nursing is a profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other healthcare providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. Nurses practice in many specialisms with differing levels of prescriber authority.
Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. However, nurses are permitted by most jurisdictions to practice independently in a variety of settings depending on training level. In the postwar period, nurse education has undergone a process of diversification towards advanced and specialized credentials, and many of the traditional regulations and provider roles are changing.
Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family, and other team members, that focus on treating illness to improve quality of life. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team such as therapists, medical practitioners, and dietitians. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.
Definition of Poisoning
A poison is a substance which, if taken into the body in sufficent quantity, can cause temporary or permanent damage. Poisoning is a condition caused by introduction to harmful substances or chemicals into the body either by injection, inhalation or ingestion.
Or
Posoning is an exposure to an amount of substance likely to produce untoward effect is an individual.
Or
Poisoning occurs when any substance interferes with normal body functions after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed. The branch of medicine that deals with the detection and treatment of poisons is known as toxicology.
Causes of Poisoning
Common substances that can cause poisoning include the following :
- Automobile fluids (e.g., gasoline, antifreeze, windshield fluid)
- Cosmetics and other personal care products
- Household cleaning products (e.g., drain cleaners, dishwasher detergent)
- Over-the-counter or prescription medications (e.g., analgesics such as acetaminophen, cough and cold medicines, vitamins)
- Foreign objects (e.g., toys, batteries)
- Paints and paint thinners
- Pesticides (e.g., insecticides, weed killers, rodenticides)
- Plants
- Art supplies and office supplies
- Alcohol
- Food products
- Herbal medicines
Types of Poisoning
There are many types of poisoning, some of the most common types are given below :
A. Alcohol poisoning : Can happen when someone has drunk an excessive amount
B. Drug poisoning : Caused by an overdose of prescription or illegal drugs
C. Food poisoning : Caused by eating contaminated food
D. Carbon Monoxide poisoning/Gas poisoning : Caused by inhalation of this deadly gas.
E. Swallowed poisons : When someone ingests poisonous substances, such as: chemicals, drugs, plants, fungi or berries.
F. Dhatura poisoning : The poisoning is due to consumption of seeds of tree ‘Dhautra’
Sign and Symptoms of Poisoning
Signs that may indicate poisoning include the following
- Drug or chemical containers that are open, spilled, or out of place
- Unusual odors (e.g., the breath or clothing, in the air)
- Spills and stains on clothing, skin, flooring, etc.
- Acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting) symptoms (e.g., behavior changes, drowsiness, heavy drooling. stomach pain, sweating, vomiting)
Symptoms
- Behavior changes (e.g., restlessness, crankiness)
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Minor skin or eye irritation
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Passing cough (cough that comes and goes)
- Soreness or stiffness in the joints
- Thirst
- Blurred vision
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive tearing
- Fever
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Loss of muscle control and muscle twitching
- Paleness (pallor) or flushed or yellowish skin no
- Persistent cough
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
- Stomach cramps
- Sweating
Aim of First Aid Treatment in Poisoning
1. To remove or counteract the effect of the poison.
2. To send the medical for treatment.
3. To arrange transport to hospital as quickly in case of poisoning and hospital treatment is frequently essential.
4. To identify the position. All contains medicine bottles empty glass or remains of food should be kept for the doctor’s inspection.
5. If death occurs the police must be informed and nothing in the vicinity of the body touched or moved until their arrival.
First Aid Treatment of Poisoning
1. During first aid and subsequent treatment, the suspected poison should be identified and safely handled to minimize further exposure. The victim may pose a danger if the poisonous substance can be transferred to the rescuer (for example, by contact with contaminated clothing).
2. If the poisoning occurs in an industrial, farm or laboratory setting suspect particularly dangerous agents and take precautions to avoid accidental injury.
3. If more than one person simultaneously appears affected by a poison, there is is a high possibility of
dangerous environmental contamination.
4. Separate the victim from the poisonous substance. How this is done will depend on the type of the poison. Examples are listed below.
5. If the poison is SWALLOWED
- Give the person who has swallowed the poison a sip of water to wash out their mouth.
- Do NOT try to make them vomit. Do NOT use Ipecac Syrup. 1;2 [Class A; LOE IV]
6. If the poison is INHALED
- Immediately get the person to fresh air, without placing yourself at risk.
- Avoid breathing fumes. Special breathing apparatus may be required, for example, with cyanide or agricultural chemicals poisoning.
- If it is safe to do so, open doors and windows wide.
7. If the poison enters the EYE
- Flood the eye with saline or cold water from a running tap or a cup/jug.
- Continue to flush for 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open
8. If the poison contacts the SKIN
- Remove contaminated clothing, taking care to avoid contact with the poison.
- Flood skin with running cold water.
- Wash gently with soap and water and rinse well.
9. If the victim is unconscious or is not breathing normally, commence resuscitation.
10. Before commencing resuscitation, quickly wipe obvious contamination from around the mouth.
11. Ensure that an ambulance has been called.
12. A self-inflating bag-valve-mask apparatus is the safest way to provide ventilation for the BLS rescuer. If this equipment is not available, mouth-to-mask or mouth-to-mouth ventilation may be considered depending on the chemical ingested. Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided if cyanide or organophosphate poisoning is suspected
13. Inhaled poisons are unlikely to pose a risk during mouth to mouth ventilation unless the victim is contaminated with the liquid phase of the inhaled poison.
Preventive Measures of Poisoning
1. Many poisons are substances that also have a useful purpose. Poisoning is particularly common in children and vulnerable adults. Ensuring poisons are only accessible by people who need and know how to use them reduces their risk of harm.
2. Make a survey of your home or workplace and identify all poisonous substances.
3. Remove poisons or medicines that are unwanted. Dispose of chemicals safely using their accompanying directions. Pharmaceuticals can be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal, which is safer and more environmentally friendly than disposal in domestic waste or flushing down a toilet. The Poisons Information Centre can also advise on methods of safe disposal.
4. Store poisonous substances in their original containers in locked or child-resistant cupboards or containers out of reach of children. Do not store medicines in the refrigerator unless advised to do so by a pharmacist.
5. Use non-poisonous alternatives to cleaning products, insecticides, etc. when possible.
6. Keep the amount of poisonous substances stored in a home to a minimum, maxi motlog
7. When possible, choose substances available in child-resistant packaging. However, do not rely on child-resistant packaging to prevent a child’s access to a poison.
8. Read medicine labels and use according to the directions.
Ensure the right:
- Medication
- Person
- Dose
- Route of administration
- Time and frequency of administration
9. Wear the recommended personal protective equipment when using toxic or caustic chemicals, for example spraying, painting, or oven cleaning.
10. Do not eat or drink near poisons.
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