Poisoning, Bites, Stings, and Substance-Related Emergencies
What the exam tests
This domain tests poison exposure care, snake and insect bites, stings, anaphylaxis recognition, and substance-related emergencies.
Core rules
- Poisoning: remove the patient from the source, ensure scene safety, and call poison control or EMS. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a qualified poison center or physician.
- For skin or eye exposure, irrigate with copious water and remove contaminated clothing.
- Snake bite: keep the patient calm and still, immobilize the bitten limb, remove tight items, and mark the swelling edge. Do not cut, suck, apply ice, or use a tourniquet.
- Bee sting: remove the stinger by scraping, wash the area, and watch for anaphylaxis-hives, swelling, wheezing, or low blood pressure. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if available and trained.
- Substance-related emergencies: maintain airway and breathing, protect from injury, and call EMS. Do not leave the patient alone.
Worked example
A worker spills pesticide on the forearm. The first aider dons gloves, moves the worker to fresh air, removes contaminated clothing, and irrigates the skin with water for at least 15 minutes. The container label is kept for responders, and poison control is called. The first aider does not induce vomiting because the exposure is dermal.
Traps that cost marks
- Inducing vomiting after every poisoning.
- Cutting or sucking a snake bite or applying a tight tourniquet.
- Squeezing a bee sting and injecting more venom.
- Missing anaphylaxis after a sting.
Key points
- Remove from the poison source and call poison control or EMS.