Toxicology Nurse : Critical Care Nursing in Toxicological Emergencies

A Toxicology Nurse takes care of patients whove swallowed poison, come into contact with a toxin, been bitten by a Snake/Spider or stung by a Scorpion/ Bee/ Wasp. Poisonings & overdoses due to pharmaceutical agents result in more than 100,000 Critical Care Unit admissions each year. Ingestion of Toxic Alcohols & Mushrooms, Acetaminophen, Beta-Adrenergic-Antagonists, Benzodiazepines, Calcium-channel-blockers, Opioids, Tricyclic antidepressants & Salicylates are associated with a high rate of Morbidity & Mortality. Reviewing the mechanism of toxicity due to specific agents along with the mechanism of action, dosing, & adverse effects of appropriate antidotes is important for the successful management of these patients within the ICU. Understanding the most prevalent overdoses and their management using reversal agents and antidotes is essential to the overall treatment of these critically ill patients. Emergency Nurses, ICU Nurses & Paramedics will enjoy reading and discover toxicological principles in this handbook with easy recalls, colorful memory aids, standard treatment guidelines, current recommendations and medicolegal controversies in saving lives from knives of autopsy.