General Considerations Drug Overdose Treatment

Nurse Bob's MICU/CCU Survival Guide
Overdose and Drug Reactions
General Considerations Drug Overdose Treatment

I. Definition.
    A. Overdose only applied to drugs.
    B. Poison is applied to substances other than drugs.
    C. May be intentional or accidental.

II. Signs and symptoms of an overdose
    A. Depends on the drug.
    B. Diagnosis of an overdosed patient is generally straightforward if the drug is known.
        1. Can be very difficult if the patients cannot state what drug they have overdosed on.
        2. At times, certain symptoms and signs exhibited by the patient.
        3. Blood tests, can reveal the type of drug

III. Supportive Treatment
    A. Even without knowing the drug, most patients can be treated with general supportive measures.
    B. In some instances, antidotes may be administered with sufficient indication the patient has overdosed on particular type of medication.
    C. Airway, Breathing and Circulation is always the initial treatment of an overdose.
        1. Establishing a stable airway.
        2. Ventilation is considered with low respiratory rate or hypoxia.
    D. Treat for shock.
    E. Identify the drug
        1. Glucose
        2. BUN Creatine
        3. Acetaminophen Paracetamol levels
       4. Salicylate levels
    F. Monitoring
       1. Temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, urine output.
        2. Electrocardiography (ECG)
        3. O₂ saturation.