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Evaluation and Management of Toxicological Emergencies

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Abstract

After studying this chapter, you should be able to: List the methods available for decreasing toxin absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, with the indications, contraindications, and potential complications of each method. Describe toxin exposures for which enhancing toxin elimination is possible, with the specific means to do so. Describe the limitations of toxicologic drug screening, with indications for its use in specific clinical scenarios. Know those toxin exposures for which specific antidotes exist, with the indications and potential complications of their use. Identify the principles by which an exposure can be determined to be nontoxic and have a working knowledge of the many household items that are nontoxic. Describe mechanisms by which unknown compounds can be identified.

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Additional Reading

  • Goldfrank LR, Flomenbaum NE, Lewin NA, et al., eds. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 2002.

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  • Toxicology (Part IV, Section II): Toxicology: In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, Elsevier; 2006.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Emergency Medicine and Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Frederic H. Kauffman MD

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Kathryn Getzewich MD

Authors
  1. Frederic H. Kauffman MD
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  2. Kathryn Getzewich MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad St. 3420, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Gerard J. Criner

  2. Dept. Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad Street 3401, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Rodger E. Barnette

  3. School of Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad St. 3420, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Gilbert E. D'Alonzo

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Kauffman, F.H., Getzewich, K. (2010). Evaluation and Management of Toxicological Emergencies. In: Criner, G., Barnette, R., D'Alonzo, G. (eds) Critical Care Study Guide. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77452-7_34

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