A patient is brought to the emergency department after ingestion of an unknown substance. The patient has been vomiting and complains of abdominal pain
The nurse observes that the patient's oral mucous membranes are dry, the heart rate is 88 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg. The nurse will prepare to initially:
a. administer an antiemetic.
b. give activated charcoal.
c. infuse normal saline as an IV bolus.
d. obtain blood for toxicology testing.
ANS: C
Initial treatment for poisoning involves supportive care. IV infusions of normal saline or Ringer's solution should be given to restore volume lost by vomiting. Antiemetics are not indicated. Activated charcoal is given when the ingested substance is known and only if it will help neutralize the substance. Toxicology testing is important, but supportive care is provided initially.
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