A 24-year-old man presents after ingesting an unknown quantity of aspirin tablets. He has tinnitus, tachypnoea and nausea. Arterial blood gas shows mi...

Question

A 24-year-old man presents after ingesting an unknown quantity of aspirin tablets. He has tinnitus, tachypnoea and nausea. Arterial blood gas shows mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis. What is the primary treatment to enhance salicylate elimination in moderate-to-severe toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Urinary alkalinisation with intravenous sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Haemodialysis for all cases

Answer

Forced diuresis with loop diuretics

Answer

Activated charcoal alone

Answer

No specific treatment is required

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Salicylate poisoning

A 24-year-old man presents after ingesting an unknown quantity of aspirin tablets. He has tinnitus, tachypnoea and nausea. Arterial blood gas shows mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis. What is the primary treatment to enhance salicylate elimination in moderate-to-severe toxicity?