The following key questions should be asked in a focused history:
- What and how much was the patient exposed to (volume and concentration)?
- What was the route of exposure (inhalation, skin exposure or immersion)?
- What protective measures were taken?
- What treatment was given?
From the above factors, the likely effects and clinical course may be predicted:
- For all poisoned patients, once decontaminated, the focus is on resuscitation and support of vital functions
- Most poisons do not have antidotes and so standard resuscitative principles will apply
- The only exception is a known poisoning with paraquat where excess oxygen can increase long term pulmonary fibrosis – however the patient should not be allowed to be excessively hypoxic as this too can be fatal