Nerve Agent Exposure Author: Elliot Rodriguez, MD, FACEP; Christine M. Stork, PharmD, DABAT
Editorial changes - 2009-12-01
Author information and module status
Prevention
Screening
Diagnosis
Consultation for Diagnosis
Hospitalization
Non-drug Therapy
Drug Therapy
Patient Education
Consultation for Management
Follow-up
Tables
References
Glossary
What's New
Patient Information
Additional Resources
Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Prevention
Can secondary exposure to nerve agents occur?
How can secondary exposure be prevented?
How does pyridostigmine bromide work to prevent effects from nerve agent exposure?
Diagnosis
What are the signs and symptoms of nerve agent toxicity?
Can testing help make the diagnosis in a timely fashion?
What is the most sensitive sign of nerve agent vapor exposure?
Consultation for Diagnosis
Should government agencies be notified in suspected nerve agent exposure?
Are there resources available to help physicians diagnose nerve agent toxicity?
When should I consult these resources?
Hospitalization
Which symptoms indicate that the patient requires hospitalization?
Do all nerve agent poisoned patients require hospitalization?
Do patients whose symptoms have resolved require hospitalization?
Non-drug Therapy
What are the most important interventions after exposure?
Which patients require endotracheal intubation?
Which patients do not require treatment?
Drug Therapy
When should atropine be employed?
When should 2-pralidoxime be used?
When should diazepam be used?
Patient Education
Where can I find good sources of patient educational material?
Are there written sources of patient education on this topic?
What is important to tell patients after exposure?
Consultation for Management
Can poison centers help me manage patients exposed to nerve agents?
Do patients require long-term hospital stays?
Are intensive care specialists helpful in managing these patients?
Follow-up
Are there chronic effects of exposure to nerve agents?
What are the physical and psychological symptoms seen?
Do these patients suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder?
| Patient Information
Christine M. Stork, PharmD, DABAT has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Elliot Rodriguez, MD, FACEP has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Jerrold B. Leikin, MD, editorial consultant, received royalties from McGraw-Hill, Taylor and Francis; editor of Toxicoterrorism (McGraw-Hill).
Darren B. Taichman, MD, PhD, Editor, PIER, has received grant support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd , and honoraria for continuing medical education grand rounds and lectures given.

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