Prevention is better than cure - Occupational Poisoning Prevention Knowledge

Author: Zhang Shengnian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features:
III. What clinical manifestations occur after carbon monoxide poisoning? Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause acute poisoning. Depending on the amount and duration of exposure to carbon monoxide, the severity of poisoning and clinical manifestations vary:
Mild poisoning: Patients may experience headache, dizziness, insomnia, blurred vision, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, general weakness, rapid heartbeat, and brief loss of consciousness. Symptoms of mild poisoning can disappear quickly with treatment.
Moderate poisoning: In addition to the worsening of the above symptoms, cherry-red lips, nails, and skin may appear, along with excessive sweating, blood pressure initially rising and then falling, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and the ability to think but not move. If symptoms worsen further, drowsiness and coma may occur. With timely rescue, patients can regain consciousness relatively quickly, generally without complications or sequelae.
Severe poisoning: In addition to having all or some symptoms of mild and moderate poisoning, patients may rapidly enter a state of coma. Coma can last for several hours or even days, accompanied by convulsions. Patients with severe poisoning may have pale or purplish skin, and eventually die due to inability to breathe. (Page 50)
IV. Key points for on-site rescue
In the event of acute carbon monoxide poisoning, the poisoned person should be immediately moved away from the contaminated area to a fresh air location. Their collar and belt should be loosened to keep the airway clear, and warmth should be maintained.
Generally, mild poisoning patients can recover after inhaling fresh air or oxygen. Moderate and severe patients should receive oxygen therapy, as it can accelerate the elimination of carbon monoxide.
For unconscious patients, their head should be tilted to one side to prevent vomit from entering their lungs and obstructing breathing. To help them regain consciousness, acupuncture or fingernail pressure on the Zhongwan (CV6) point may be used.
If breathing stops, artificial respiration should be immediately administered. However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of artificial respiration for carbon monoxide poisoning patients is far less than that of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a hospital. Therefore, severely unconscious patients should be transported to the hospital as quickly as possible. But during transport, artificial respiration must not be stopped to ensure oxygen supply to the brain and prevent irreversible brain nerve damage due to hypoxia. (Page 50)