Initial Management of a Poisoned Patient

As with any severely ill patient, the initial step is to stabilize the patient's respiration, circulation, and airway. By identifying the toxin, either by laboratory testing, toxidrome, or history, the doctors may be led in the appropriate direction. In situations where the precise poisoning agent...

• The presentation focuses on the initial management of poisoned patients in emergency departments, highlighting the increasing importance of clinical toxicology. Common challenges include vague patient histories due to altered mental states or lack of bystanders, and the prevalence of co-ingestions or multiple drug overdoses. The "toxidrome" approach, based on recognizing syndromes through history, vital signs, and targeted physical exams, aids in identifying unknown toxins.