tangent
02-28-02, 23:33
frm: Emergent Field Medicine:
TREATMENT Toxic alcohol poisoning, particularly with ethylene glycol and methanol,
is life threatening. Therefore, management should never be withheld while awaiting
definitive laboratory results.
Gastric lavage and AC is rarely efficacious because the alcohols are rapidly absorbed
through the gastric mucosa. Ipecac should not be used because of the patient's lethargic
state and aspiration potential.
Toxic alcohol ingestion is treated with ethanol in the form of liquor, such as vodka
or whiskey. Ethanol competitively inhibits the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme-induced
pathway described above. It can be administered IV as a drip, or given orally. Four shot
glasses of whiskey, four glasses of wine, or six beers should be enough to induce a level
of 100 to 150 mg%, the level necessary to inhibit the formation of the toxic metabolites.
However, this level of inebriation needs to be maintained until the toxic alcohol is
excreted through the kidneys.
If the patient is severely poisoned or acidotic, or has elevated serum level or evi-
dence of end-organ damage, therapy with hemodialysis (if available) should be insti-
tuted. In the United States and Europe, the new antidote 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) has
been approved for the management of ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning,
although it is often too expensive to be adequately stocked.
hmmm... so let me get this straight - in a case of ethylene glycol/methenol poisoning of a minor, the care provider is supposed to let the kid die, as no blame is attached to not being able to save someone, OR opens themself up to being arrested for contributing to the delinquincy of a minor... hmmm... wonderfull legal system we got here! ;-)
psst!: don't tell the kids! - they'll be lining up arround the block every friday, jug of antifreeze in hand, once they hear about THIS loophole! ;-)
and to get the jokes started... for my second IV, I'd like my coffee with 2 sugars and cream in it - please.... ;-)
ummm... I think the effects are wearing off... could I get another shot, please? (legs tightly crossed ans squirming...) what a way to get served after closing time! ;-)
on a more serious note - I'm surprised that we don't see people getting slightly loaded on whisky or vodka, then using antifreeze as a cheap, no-tax booster... kinda dangerous - run out of the whisky to keep your blood levels up and your dead!, but it's the kind of thing I would expect to see alot of. People do stupid things for kicks... especially kids.
TREATMENT Toxic alcohol poisoning, particularly with ethylene glycol and methanol,
is life threatening. Therefore, management should never be withheld while awaiting
definitive laboratory results.
Gastric lavage and AC is rarely efficacious because the alcohols are rapidly absorbed
through the gastric mucosa. Ipecac should not be used because of the patient's lethargic
state and aspiration potential.
Toxic alcohol ingestion is treated with ethanol in the form of liquor, such as vodka
or whiskey. Ethanol competitively inhibits the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme-induced
pathway described above. It can be administered IV as a drip, or given orally. Four shot
glasses of whiskey, four glasses of wine, or six beers should be enough to induce a level
of 100 to 150 mg%, the level necessary to inhibit the formation of the toxic metabolites.
However, this level of inebriation needs to be maintained until the toxic alcohol is
excreted through the kidneys.
If the patient is severely poisoned or acidotic, or has elevated serum level or evi-
dence of end-organ damage, therapy with hemodialysis (if available) should be insti-
tuted. In the United States and Europe, the new antidote 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) has
been approved for the management of ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning,
although it is often too expensive to be adequately stocked.
hmmm... so let me get this straight - in a case of ethylene glycol/methenol poisoning of a minor, the care provider is supposed to let the kid die, as no blame is attached to not being able to save someone, OR opens themself up to being arrested for contributing to the delinquincy of a minor... hmmm... wonderfull legal system we got here! ;-)
psst!: don't tell the kids! - they'll be lining up arround the block every friday, jug of antifreeze in hand, once they hear about THIS loophole! ;-)
and to get the jokes started... for my second IV, I'd like my coffee with 2 sugars and cream in it - please.... ;-)
ummm... I think the effects are wearing off... could I get another shot, please? (legs tightly crossed ans squirming...) what a way to get served after closing time! ;-)
on a more serious note - I'm surprised that we don't see people getting slightly loaded on whisky or vodka, then using antifreeze as a cheap, no-tax booster... kinda dangerous - run out of the whisky to keep your blood levels up and your dead!, but it's the kind of thing I would expect to see alot of. People do stupid things for kicks... especially kids.