Assessment and diagnosis of the poisoned patient. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vale, Allister; Bradberry, Sally
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 44:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: diagnosis -- examination -- history -- investigations -- local toxicity -- systemic toxicity -- toxicological analyses; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Médecine factuelle -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2015.11.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-3039

Abstract

Abstract: Assessment of an acutely poisoned patient involves taking an appropriate history, assessing the level of consciousness, ventilation and circulation, undertaking a physical examination, and requesting appropriate toxicological and non-toxicological investigations. Diagnosis is based on the history, circumstantial evidence (if available), a cluster of common features (if present) and, occasionally, the results of biochemical or toxicological analyses.