A client is brought to the emergency department with acute poisoning from an unknown powdered agent on the skin. Which of the general principles of treating poisonings does the nurse follow first?
1. Topical decontamination
2. Prevention of absorption
3. Neutralization
4. Increase in rate of excretion
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The client's clothes are removed and the skin and eyes flushed to remove the agent.
Rationale 2: This could be the administration of an adsorbent (activated charcoal), whole-bowel irrigation, induction of vomiting, or gastric lavage.
Rationale 3: This could be the administration of an acid or base, depending on the client's symptoms.
Rationale 4: This could be the administration of diuretics, peritoneal or extracorporeal dialysis, and ion trapping.
Global Rationale: The first step in this process is to decontaminate the patient. The remaining actions are taken after this decontamination has begun.
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