Toxicology and Environmental Emergencies Flashcards
6 cards from real CEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Toxicology and Environmental Emergencies flashcards as text
A patient presents with confusion, lactic acidosis, and bradycardia after intentional ingestion of his wife's heart medication. Bedside glucose is 220 mg/dL. Which medication overdose is most likely?
Answer: Calcium channel blocker
Calcium channel blocker toxicity causes bradycardia, hypotension, and hyperglycemia (by blocking insulin release from pancreatic beta cells).
A patient with digoxin toxicity has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and multiple PVCs. Which treatment is indicated?
Answer: Digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind/DigiFab)
Digoxin-specific Fab fragments directly bind and inactivate digoxin, reversing toxicity including dysrhythmias and hyperkalemia.
A patient presents with fever of 40.5°C, muscle rigidity, clonus, diaphoresis, and agitation after starting a new antidepressant. Which condition is most likely?
Answer: Serotonin syndrome
The triad of altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities (clonus, hyperreflexia) is characteristic of serotonin syndrome.
A patient with carbon monoxide poisoning has a carboxyhemoglobin level of 30% and is confused. Which oxygen delivery is the treatment priority?
Answer: 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask
100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask is the immediate treatment for CO poisoning; it reduces CO half-life from ~5 hours on room air to ~60–90 minutes.
A patient presents with confusion, the smell of bitter almonds on their breath, and lactic acidosis after a house fire. Which antidote should be given?
Answer: Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit)
Hydroxocobalamin binds cyanide to form cyanocobalamin, which is safely excreted; it is the preferred antidote for cyanide poisoning.
A 3-year-old ingests an unknown number of iron tablets. Which finding indicates severe iron toxicity?
Answer: Hemodynamic instability and metabolic acidosis
Hemodynamic instability and metabolic acidosis indicate systemic iron toxicity affecting cellular metabolism, representing severe poisoning.