1. Poison Control Center's Number: Answer 1-800-222-1222 2. What age group is most frequently involved in the exposure of potentially dangerous substances?: Answer -children 3. IngestedToxins: Answer -most ingested toxins cause one or more of these problems 1. Decreased LOC: airway 2. Respiratory Depression: breathing 3. CV Abnormalities: circulation 5. Initial Assessment: Answer Airway -we need to maintain a patent airway -we need to assess to see if the patient has a gag reflex -consider caustics as well, which can burn, corrode, and destroy living tissue Breathing -need to assess for hypo/hyperventilation -hypoventilation is worse ^increased PaCO2 causes respiratory acidosis, which eventually leads to hypoxia Cardiovascular -hypotension -arrhythmias Disability -AVPU (awake, verbal, pain, or unresponsive) -pupils can be a great tool -miosis: opiates, cholinergic (pupillary constriction) -mydriasis: anticholinergics, sympathetic stimulants (pupillary dilation) Exposure -obvious injuries -look for clues Find the Toxin -what, when, and how much?