Which of the following is a first aid measure for ingesting poison?

NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Medical Surgical Nursing

Hard

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Explanation

Historically, inducing vomiting (emesis) was a common first aid treatment for ingested poisons to remove the substance from the stomach.
While modern guidelines have moved away from recommending this as a routine home remedy, it may still be performed in a hospital setting under specific circumstances and medical supervision.
Compared to the other options, which are either actively harmful (sucking poison), incorrect (avoiding mouthwash), or not the primary intervention (preventing spontaneous vomiting), inducing vomiting is the only option that represents a (now conditional) method of poison removal.
The most critical first aid step is to call a poison control center, but this is not an option. Given the choices, this option reflects a potential, though highly debated, intervention.

Option A: While inducing vomiting is often contraindicated, actively preventing spontaneous vomiting is not the primary goal. Spontaneous vomiting can be a natural way the body expels a toxin. The key is not to force it when it could be harmful.
Option C: This is incorrect. If the person is conscious and able to swallow, rinsing the mouth with a small amount of water or milk can help dilute the poison and wash away any residue, reducing local damage to the mouth and throat.
Option D: This action is extremely dangerous for the rescuer, as it exposes them to the poison, and it is completely ineffective at removing a significant amount of poison from the victim's stomach.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing First Aid for Poisoning in acute care settings.
The primary nursing and first aid response to any suspected poisoning is to immediately call the national poison control hotline or emergency services. They provide expert, substance-specific guidance.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating the public that inducing vomiting with syrup of ipecac or other means is an outdated and potentially dangerous practice.
Patient assessment is key. Note the time of ingestion, the substance (if known), amount, and the patient's level of consciousness and vital signs to report to the poison control center.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for a first aid measure for ingested poison.
Evaluate each option based on current safety principles, especially the 'do no harm' principle.
Option D (sucking poison) is clearly dangerous to the rescuer and ineffective. Eliminate it immediately.
Option C (avoiding mouth washing) is counterintuitive; rinsing helps remove residue. Eliminate it.
You are left with 'Preventing vomiting' and 'Inducing vomiting'. Recall that modern guidelines strongly advise against inducing vomiting for many common poisons (corrosives, petroleum). This makes 'Inducing vomiting' a dangerous option.
However, 'Preventing vomiting' is also problematic as a universal rule, as spontaneous vomiting can be beneficial. The question is poorly constructed, reflecting outdated concepts. In such a case, consider the historical context where inducing vomiting was a standard procedure. While now conditional, it's an active intervention for poison removal, unlike the other definitively incorrect options. Recognize the ambiguity but select the most plausible (though flawed) intervention from the given choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QtBUOmgdrlA1TgFHe1z6lw

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 193-195

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 129-131