Management  for Poisoning  and Overdose:

The following data should be obtained at the time of initial contact. 

Phone Number:  getting the caller's telephone number  is necessary  in case he  requires follow-up calls. 

Address: This may be  crucial if emergency equipment needs to  be dispatched or if the person on  the  phone becomes hysterical or develops lethargy, convulsions and so on. 

Evaluation of Severity: Callers may  begin with  a description of symptoms or signs such as a convulsion. It  is vital  to evaluate the current status of the patient in  terms of  immediate danger,  potential danger and no danger. Further history may  be  necessary to evaluate an  asymptomatic  patient.

Weight and Age: This  helps  to estimate the level of potential toxicity. 

Time of Ingestion: This permits interpretation of onset of symptoms or signs as well  as well as evaluation of  laboratory data and  other prognostic information. 

Past Medical History: To  determine the  usual  health  status of  the  patient as a basis for interpreting signs. It will also suggest interaction of chronic medications or allergies with  the current ingestion. 

Type of Exposure:  Products, names and ingredients should  be obtained from  labels or  from  the POISONINDEX system. 

Amount of Exposure: How many  tablets or  how much  fluid  has  been consumed should be estimated. Tablets or fluid  remaining in  the container should be counted or measured. 

Route of Exposure: To  determine whether the exposure was  by ingestion, inhalation, local application to the eyes or skin or parenteral. 

We  have  learnt that the data should  be obtained  for management let us discuss the primary assessment and intervention.