D. Medical Examination and Management of Intoxication(General Remarks of Toxicology-The Chat from Clinical Toxicological Field-Part 3)

The current paper summarizes the initial and fundamental management methods during a suspicious or a confirmed case of intoxication. The initial intoxication management involves the following three items. 1. Identification of an intoxication case: Physical examination of the body for signs or symptoms, taking history on the physical condition after the onset of symptoms, assessments of life-style, living conditions, and place of occurrence. Gather information that provides clues to the nature of the poisoning or the possibility of a poisoning. When intoxication is suspected, samples should be collected for laboratory studies in order to identify the toxic substance. 2. Confirmation and storage of the toxic substance: The section describes the procedures of extracting these samples and how the samples should be stored. External samples include atmospheric substances, powder or liquid on the body, drugs/chemicals or the containers left at sites. Internal samples include blood, urine, gastric juice, feces, etc. 3. Intoxication management principles: The principles of treatment include alienation of non-absorbed toxins, elimination of absorbed toxins, use of detoxicative or antagonist agents, and relieving of abnormal symptoms. Treatment varies according to toxic agents and length of time after toxic exposure. Initiation of treatment should be based on appropriate clinical judgment based on the gathered information