A pre-hospital team is called to a 45-year-old male who has been found in a smoke-filled room. He is unconscious with cherry-red skin colouration. In ...

Question

A pre-hospital team is called to a 45-year-old male who has been found in a smoke-filled room. He is unconscious with cherry-red skin colouration. In addition to carbon monoxide poisoning, what other toxic gas produced in house fires should be considered and what is its specific antidote?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) - produced by combustion of synthetic materials (plastics, nylon, polyurethane); the specific antidote is IV hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit) 5 g over 15 minutes

Answer

Chlorine gas - antidote is nebulised sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Nitrogen dioxide - antidote is IV methylene blue

Answer

Sulphur dioxide - antidote is IV calcium gluconate

Answer

Ammonia - antidote is IV N-acetylcysteine

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Cyanide Poisoning in House Fires

A pre-hospital team is called to a 45-year-old male who has been found in a smoke-filled room. He is unconscious with cherry-red skin colouration. In addition to carbon monoxide poisoning, what other toxic gas produced in house fires should be considered and what is its specific antidote?