EMT Curriculum

Chapter 19: Toxicology

National EMS Education Standard Competencies

Medicine

Applies fundamental knowledge to provide basic emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely ill patient.

Toxicology

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Recognition and management of

•

Carbon monoxide poisoning (pp 671–673)

•

Nerve agent poisoning (p 685)

• How and when to contact a poison control center (p 671) • Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and management of • Inhaled poisons (pp 671–673) • Ingested poisons (pp 674–675) • Injected poisons (pp 675–676) • Absorbed poisons (pp 673–674) • Alcohol intoxication and withdrawal (pp 680–681)

Knowledge Objectives

1. Define toxicology, poison, and overdose. (p 669)

2. Describe how poisons enter the body. (pp 670–676)

3. Identify the common signs and symptoms of poisoning. (pp 669–670)

4. Describe the assessment and treatment of the patient with suspected poisoning. (pp 676–689)

5. Describe the assessment and treatment of the patient with a possible overdose. (pp 669–670, 676–689)

6. Explain the use of activated charcoal, including indications, contraindications, and the need to obtain approval from medical control before

administering it. (pp 674–675, 678–679)

7. Identify the main types of specific poisons and their effects, including alcohol, opioids, sedative-hypnotic drugs, inhalants, sympathomimetics,

marijuana, hallucinogens, anticholinergic agents, and cholinergic agents. (pp 679–686)

8. Describe the assessment and treatment for the patient with suspected food poisoning. (pp 686–687)

9. Describe the assessment and treatment for the patient with suspected plant poisoning. (pp 687–689)

10. Understand the role of airway management in the patient suffering from poisoning or overdose. (p 677)

11. Discuss the use of activated charcoal. (pp 674–675, 678–679)