17:5 Providing First Aid for Poisoning

Explain first aid for an insect sting: (3 steps)

1. Remove embedded stinger by scraping with edge of rigid card or a tongue depressor. DO NOT use tweezers b/c they can puncture the venom sac attached to stinger, injecting more poison into tissues. 2. Wash area well w/ soap and water 3. Apply sterile dressing and cold pack to reduce swelling.

List the 3 stages of treatment for contact with poisonous plants:

1. Wash are thoroughly w/ soap and water 2. If rash or weeping sores develop after 2-3 days, relieve discomfort with a lotion like Calamine or Caladryl or a paste made from baking soda and water. 3. If condition is severe and affects large areas of body or face, obtain medical help.

Explain first aid for snakebite or spider bites:

1. Wash wound 2. Immobilize injured area, positioning it LOWER than heart, if possible 3. DO NOT cut wound or apply a tourniquet 4. Monitor breathing and give cpr if needed. 5. Obtain medical help asap.

Explain first aid if tick is embedded to the skin: (5 steps)

1. use tweezers to slowly pull tick out. 2. wash good with soap and water 3. apply antiseptic 4. watch for signs of infection 5. obtain medical help if needed.

Why is activated charcoal used after a poisoning victim vomits? (answer and precaution)

Activated charcoal is used b/c it binds to the poison to ensure that it isnt absorbed into the body. Only give to conscious victims who are able to swallow.

What is the first thing to do when a victim swallows a poison?

Call a PCC or a physician immediately, or EMS.

What is the most commonly inhaled poison? Describe:

Carbon monoxide-odorless, colorless, very difficult to detect.

What 3 types of info. should be given to a PCC or physician?

Estimate on how much poison was taken, time the poisoning occurred, info. from label/container of the substance taken.

Whats the first step of treatment for a victim who has been poisoned by inhaling gas?

Immediately remove them from the area before treating them.

List 4 ways that poisoning can be caused

Inhaling poisonous gases, injecting substances, ingesting various substances, and contacting the skin w/ poison.

Contact with what 3 poisonous plants can cause a serious skin reaction if not treated immediately?

Ivy, oak, and sumac.

How should you position an unconscious poisoning victim who is breathing? Why?

On their side so fluids can drain from the mouth.

List 9 signs of an allergic reaction to an injected poison: KNOW

Redness, itching, hives, pain, dizziness, swelling at the site, diluted or labored breathing, a change in the level of consciousness, and swelling of the throat.

What 2 diseases can ticks cause?

Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. (dangerous if untreated)

What should you do if a conscious victim vomits?

Save a sample of the vomited material to give to PCC.

How do you save a victim from inhalation poison while staying safe from fumes? (4 steps)

Take a deep breath of fresh air and do NOT breathe the gas while you're removing the victim from the area. Immediately check for breathing and provide artificial respiration if needed. Obtain medical help-death may occur quickly.

List 2 ways to induce vomiting:

Tickling the back of the throat or give warm saltwater to drink.

Treatment for poisoning will vary depending on the --- of poison, the --- involved, and the method of ---?

Type of poison, Injury involved, and method of contact.

List 5 types of poison victims in whom vomiting should not be induced: KNOW THIS

Unconscious victims, victims who are convulsing, swallowed petroleum products, have burns on the lips or mouth, or swallowed an acid or alkali.

How do you treat victims poisoned by chemicals splashing on the skin? (4 steps)

Use large amounts of water to wash the skin for at least 15-20 minutes to dilute substance and remove from skin. Remove any clothing and jewelry that contain the substance, call a PCC or physician and obtain medical help quickly for burns or injuries from contact w/ the poison.