EMT-Basic/Medical/Poison

Lesson 4.6: Poisoning/Overdose

Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the EMT-Basic should be able to:
 * 1) List the various ways that poisons enter the body.
 * 2) List signs/symptoms associated with poisoning.
 * 3) Discuss the emergency medical care for the patient with possible overdose.
 * 4) Describe the steps in the emergency medical care for the patient with suspected poisoning.
 * 5) Establish the relationship between the patient suffering from poisoning or overdose and airway management.
 * 6) State the generic and trade names, indications, contraindications, medication form, dose, administration, actions, side effects, and re-assessment strategies for activated charcoal.
 * 7) Recognize the need for medical direction in caring for the patient with poisoning or overdose.
 * 8) Explain the rationale for administering activated charcoal.
 * 9) Explain the rationale for contacting medical direction early in the prehospital management of the poisoning or overdose patient.
 * 10) Demonstrate the steps in the emergency medical care for the patient with possible overdose.
 * 11) Demonstrate the steps in the emergency medical care for the patient with suspected poisoning.
 * 12) Perform the necessary steps required to provide a patient with activated charcoal.
 * 13) Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response.
 * 14) Demonstrate proper disposal of the equipment for the administration of activated charcoal.
 * 15) Demonstrate completing a prehospital care report for patients with a poisoning/overdose emergency.