(2)
Treatment for metal poisoning. Included are the following:
(a)
DO NOT induce vomiting.
(b) Use demulcents (gummy or oily substance that is soothing to
irritated membranes) such as aluminum hydroxide gel, egg whites, milk, salad oil,
vegetable or mineral oil (two ounces), flour in copious amounts of water, or diluted milk
of magnesia (200 milliliters).
(c) When a specific antidote for a poison is not available, wash the
stomach out by lavaging. A solution of activated charcoal freshly suspended in water
should be used to wash out the stomach cavity.
c. Salicylates. Medications in this group have an alkaloid chemical component
that is extremely harmful to the body within four hours after ingestion. Aspirin is a
typical salicylate medication. Children between the ages of one and four have the
highest mortality rate from this type of poisoning. Toxic dosage is usually more than
0.15 grams per kilogram weight of the patient.
(1) Signs/symptoms of salicylate poisoning. An individual suffering from a
mild overdose of salicylates (less than 68 milligrams per pound of body weight) will have
nausea, vomiting, and stomach irritation. A person who takes a single overdose in the
range of 68 to 138 milligrams for every pound of body weight experiences rapid and
deep breathing (hyperventilation), dizziness, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus),
flushing, sweating, drowsiness, scant urine with a strong odor, diarrhea, and rapid
heartbeat. Someone with a severe overdose in the range of 140 milligrams to 230
milligrams per pound of body weight can suffer fever, hemorrhage, overexcitement,
convulsions, pulmonary edema, delirium, or respiratory failure. The patient may go into
a coma a day or so after he shows changes in mental function and finally die.
Treatment of salicylate poisoning.
(2)
(a) Induce vomiting by giving the patient syrup of ipecac if he is awake
and alert. Then, wash out the stomach cavity by lavaging.
(b) Start an IV and force diuresis (an increased urine output) by
administering a solution of water with five percent dextrose plus 30 milliequivalents of
potassium chloride per liter intravenously. This will provide the proper amount of body
fluids.
(c) Restore the alkaline level of the urine to its proper level by
administering bicarbonate. Keep the urine alkaline level at a neutral 7.0.
MD0581
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