Caring for the Poisoned Patient

Course #34443 - $20 -


Many nurses—even experienced ER and ICU nurses—are uncomfortable caring for a patient who has taken an overdose. Toxicology is often more art than science, and there is often a limited amount of easily available information a busy nurse can use for practical advice. Also, poisoning emergencies are far less common than medical emergencies such as myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular accidents, and without a background of hands-on experience, comprehensive care is difficult. This activity will provide nurses with the knowledge they need to provide comprehensive care for a patient with an overdose. This activity will stress that taking care of the poisoned patient requires specific knowledge, but also flexible and creative thinking.

Education Category: Infection Control / Internal Medicine
Release Date: 04/01/2021
Expiration Date: 03/31/2024

Table of Contents


This course is designed for nurses who may care for patients who have taken an overdose or who have unintentionally been poisoned.

Accreditations & Approvals


Designations of Credit


Individual State Nursing Approvals


Course Objective

The purpose of this course is to provide information regarding the most common poisoning emergencies and their treatments to ensure that these cases are identified and treated early, resulting in better outcomes and improved patient care.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Evaluate indications for interventions to stabilize the poisoned patient.
  2. List drugs/toxins with unique properties, such as low toxic doses and delayed effects, that may affect patients' clinical presentation.
  3. Identify toxidromes and their associated signs and symptoms.
  4. Outline laboratory and other testing that may be useful when assessing the poisoned patient.
  5. Compare and contrast various gastric decontamination techniques.
  6. Compare antidotes and indications for their use.
  7. Analyze the care for common dermal, ocular, and inhalational exposures.


Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI, is a Certified Specialist in Poison Information. He worked at the Poison Control Center in Philadelphia as a hotline operator from 1993 until 2011. From 2011 to the present, he has been working as a hotline operator at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. Mr. Bartlett received his BSN from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1976; his MSN from Boston University in 1978; and his MA in journalism from Temple University in 1988. His clinical experience includes 6 years as an ICU nurse and 10 years as an ER nurse. He has authored more than 100 continuing education modules for RNs and allied health personnel, and he has been published in Nursing Magazine, OR Nurse, Journal of Emergency Nursing, Legal Nurse Consultant, American Nurse Today, Journal of Emergency Services, and Orthopedics Today. He has also authored textbook chapters and NCLEX material and has edited and reviewed for several major publishers.

Faculty Disclosure

Contributing faculty, Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI, has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.

Division Planner

Jane C. Norman, RN, MSN, CNE, PhD

Division Planner Disclosure


About the Sponsor



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Technical Requirements
