A patient with suspected poisoning is drowsy, vomiting and unable to protect the airway. The family asks the nurse to give activated charcoal. What is the priority nursing action?
Correct answer: A. Protect the airway before charcoal
- A. Protect the airway before charcoal
- B. Give charcoal with fruit juice
- C. Induce vomiting before charcoal
- D. Place the patient flat and give charcoal
Explanation
Airway protection comes first because charcoal can be aspirated by a patient who cannot swallow safely or protect the airway. Inducing vomiting is unsafe, and giving oral treatment to an unprotected airway increases aspiration risk.
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About Emergency Drugs and Antidotes
Emergency pharmacology covers drugs used in cardiac arrest, shock, severe allergy, acute asthma, seizures, poisoning and hypoglycaemia, including adrenaline, atropine, naloxone, flumazenil and selected antidotes. The focus is on indications, routes, rapid adverse effects, dose safety and matching a toxic substance with its specific reversal agent.
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