Clinical Toxicology Flashcards
6 cards from real ABT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Clinical Toxicology flashcards as text
The QRS widening seen in tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is treated with which agent?
Answer: Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate alkalinizes the blood and increases sodium concentration, reversing TCA-induced sodium channel blockade and QRS prolongation.
Which toxin causes a characteristic 'garlic breath' odor and is associated with Mees' lines on fingernails?
Answer: Arsenic
Chronic arsenic poisoning produces a garlic-like odor and Mees' lines (transverse white bands on nails) due to arsenic deposition in keratin.
Physostigmine is the preferred antidote for severe toxicity from which drug class?
Answer: Anticholinergics
Physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier, reverses both central and peripheral anticholinergic toxicity.
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron toxicity in the GI phase?
Answer: Leukocytosis and elevated glucose
During the early GI phase of iron toxicity, leukocytosis and hyperglycemia are predictive of serious toxicity due to direct GI mucosal injury and iron's metabolic effects.
Whole bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol is most appropriate for which type of poisoning?
Answer: Enteric-coated or sustained-release drug overdose
Whole bowel irrigation is indicated for sustained-release or enteric-coated formulations, body packers, and metals (iron, lead) not adsorbed by activated charcoal.
Which antidote is used for organophosphate poisoning to reactivate acetylcholinesterase?
Answer: Pralidoxime (2-PAM)
Pralidoxime (2-PAM) reactivates phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase if given before 'aging' (irreversible binding) occurs, typically within 24–48 hours of exposure.