What it means
Illness or injury from a toxic substance. Common poisonings involve medicines (such as acetaminophen or opioid overdose), household cleaners, carbon monoxide, lead, plants, alcohol and pesticides. Young children are most often poisoned by things they find at home. Treatment depends on the substance and may include an antidoteAN-tih-dohtA substance that reverses or blocks the effects of a poison or of a drug overdose.Full entry , activated charcoal and support of breathing and circulation.
For the nurse
Find out what was taken, how much and when, and bring the container. In the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Do not make the person vomit unless told to. Teach families to keep medicines and chemicals locked up and out of children's reach, in their original containers.
At a glance
| Spanish | intoxicación, envenenamiento |
|---|---|
| Also written | poisonings, poisoned |
Related terms
dependence
A state in which the body has adapted to a drug, so that stopping it suddenly causes withdrawal symptoms.
respiratory depression
Breathing that is too slow or too shallow to move enough air in and out of the lungs.
antidote
A substance that reverses or blocks the effects of a poison or of a drug overdose.