ABSTRACT
In the United States alone, there were 2.6 million cases managed in conjunction with poison control centers in 2017. Poison control centers provide care recommendations to both laypersons and health care personnel, and data are collected and summarized via the National Poison Data System. Care of the patient with neurotoxicity should be approached from the framework used in the general care of the poisoned patient. Substances considered benign or therapeutic may become toxic at high doses as is seen with water intoxication, which can present with severe hyponatremia, seizures, and hemolysis. The history of the poisoned patient should include the substance to which the patient was exposed, time of exposure, duration of exposure, route of exposure, and any symptoms experienced since exposure. Assessment of the poisoned patient should always include consideration of decontamination, as this represents a chance to prevent the development of, or worsening of, toxicity.
