Critical Care Toxicology: Management of the Acutely Poisoned Patient

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Almost four million poisonings occur each year in the United States. This advanced session describes the overall approach to the hemodynamically unstable adult patient with intentional or unintentional acute drug poisoning. Recognition of atypical assessment findings and diagnostic and laboratory abnormalities are discussed, while primary management strategies are highlighted. Case studies underscore key characteristics of specific poisonings and the rationale for targeted interventions is emphasized.

Objectives

Explain the pathophysiology of poisoning, including physiological effects of prescription and illicit drug-related poisons on bodily systems.
Identify key clinical assessments and diagnostic tests to complete for each patient admitted to the ICU with a suspected poisoning.
Describe up-to-date, evidence-based strategies for managing the critically ill patient with a deliberate or accidental acute poisoning.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.