Forensic Toxicology (4)
How does a high dose of a poison typically affect the body?
Acts quickly and more severely.
What is the effect of a moderate dose of poison?
Causes acute poisoning and may be fatal.
Why are gaseous or volatile poisons typically more rapidly effective?
They are absorbed quickly.
How does the physical form of a poison affect its absorption rate?
Liquids are absorbed more quickly than solids.
What effect does the presence of food in the stomach have on poison absorption?
Protects the stomach wall from corrosive and irritating actions.
How does the condition of the stomach affect poison absorption?
Poison is absorbed more rapidly on an empty stomach.
How does idiosyncrasy affect a person’s reaction to certain drugs?
Some individuals may react adversely to drugs that others tolerate well.
What is the impact of tolerance on drug consumption?
Tolerance allows individuals to consume higher doses without alarming effects.
Why is the chemical form of a poison important in determining its toxicity?
Solubility and chemical form affect absorption and toxicity.
Why are chemically pure metallic arsenic and mercury not poisonous?
They are insoluble and not absorbed.
What role does fatty food play in poison absorption?
Fatty food generally delays absorption, except for certain poisons like phosphorus
How does the chemical form of white arsenic affect its toxicity?
It is more toxic due to its solubility.
How does the presence of a disease affect the tolerance to sedatives and tranquilizers?
Certain diseases increase tolerance to sedatives and tranquilizers.
What does the branch of medicine known as posology focus on?
Determination of appropriate drug doses
What is the term for the specific amount of a drug administered to a patient at one time?
Dose
The amount of drug required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect without causing harmful effects
Safe Dose
Which dose represents the smallest amount of medication needed to produce a therapeutic effect?
Minimum Effective Dose
What does the "maximum dose" refer to?
The largest amount of a drug that can be administered without causing significant adverse effects
What is the meaning of "lethal" or "fatal" dose?
The dose that can cause death if taken at one time
What does the Median Effective Dose (ED50) represent?
The dose required to produce the intended pharmacological effect in 50% of the patient population.
If a drug has a smaller ED50 value, what does this indicate about the drug?
It is more potent and requires a lower dose to achieve the same effect
What is the purpose of the Median Lethal Dose (LD50)?
To estimate the dose of poison that will be lethal to 50% of test animals.
What does the Toxic Dose (TD) indicate?
The dose that produces signs of toxicity in a certain percentage of animals.
What is the primary function of a chemical (true/specific) antidote?
To neutralize or chemically alter the poison, making it harmless
Which of the following is an example of a mechanical (antidotal) measure?
Stomach tube or pump
Which class of emetics produces its effects by irritating the terminal nerve filaments of the pharynx, esophagus, or stomach?
Local emetics
How are poisons typically eliminated through excretion?
By intravenous infusion of saline solution
What type of antidote acts upon the system to counteract the effects of the poison, often merely masking symptoms?
Physiological antidote
In the case of poisoning by a gas, what is the immediate treatment?
Fresh air and artificial respiration
For alkali burns, what is the recommended treatment?
Wash with plenty of water for 10 to 15 minutes
A person has been bitten by a snake and the bite area is becoming swollen and painful. The bite occurred on the arm. What is the recommended immediate treatment to manage the spread of venom?
Apply a tourniquet or a restricting band tightly above the wound
This colorless volatile liquid has a fruity odor and is used as a solvent for cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose.
Acetone
This bitter crystalline alkaloid, obtained from coca leaves, is used medically as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects.
Cocaine
This poisonous trivalent and pentavalent element is commonly used in wood preservatives and as an insecticide.
Arsenic
This volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet smell was once used as a general anesthetic but is now mainly a solvent.
Chloroform
This bitter brownish narcotic drug, obtained from the opium poppy, is known for its addictive properties.
Opium
This colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas is produced by incomplete combustion and is commonly found in automobile exhaust.
Carbon Monoxide
This white crystalline derivative of salicylic acid is commonly used to relieve pain and fever.
Aspirin
This poisonous crystalline salt is used especially in gold and silver extraction from ore.
Potassium Cyanide
This bitter alkaloid, found in tobacco, is used as an insecticide and is known for its poisonous effects.
Nicotine
This black or dark purple sclerotium of fungi occurs as a club-shaped body replacing the seed of grass and is used medicinally.
Ergot
This colorless liquid is used as an embalming liquid and as a preservative, consisting of formaldehyde and methanol.
Formalin
This bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base is the principal alkaloid of opium, used as an analgesic and sedative.
Morphine
This rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical can exist in various forms, including gases and crystals, and is known for its “bitter almond” smell.
Cyanides
This colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used in fuel.
Ethyl Alcohol
This crystalline phenolic acid is used medicinally as a skin exfoliant and in the form of salts for analgesic and antipyretic purposes.
Salicylic Acid
This substance is used as a counterirritant and was formerly used as an aphrodisiac, made from dried beetles.
Cantharides
This black powdery substance, known for its high potency, is often used illicitly and is made by acetylation of morphine.
Heroin
This bitter alkaloid is used as a stimulant found in coffee, tea, and cacao.
Caffeine
This crystalline substance is used as a solvent, antifreeze, or denaturant for ethanol and can cause blindness or death if consumed.
Methyl Alcohol
This chemical is a colorless pungent liquid acid, the chief acid of vinegar, and is used in synthesis.
Acetic Acid
This bitter crystalline alkaloid is known for its stimulant properties and is used medically and illicitly for its psychoactive effects.
Cocaine
This substance is commonly used as a stimulant in beverages and is also utilized as a diuretic.
Caffeine
This addictive substance, derived from opium, is used primarily as a pain reliever and is known for its high potential for addiction.
Morphine
This naturally occurring compound from hemp or cannabis can have psychoactive effects and includes constituents like THC.
Cannabinoids
This toxic crystalline substance is used in various industrial applications and is found in pesticides.
Arsenic
This chemical compound, also known as hydrocyanic acid, has a bitter almond odor and is highly toxic.
Hydrogen Cyanide
This is a morphine derivative found in opium is weaker in action than morphine and used especially as an analgesic.
Codeine
This refers to the hydrochloride salt form of methamphetamine, an amphetamine and sympathomimetic amine with central nervous system-simulating properties. It is locally called as “Shabu”.
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
It is a poisonous, usually gaseous compound that has the odor of bitter almonds that is locally found in “Kamoteng Kahoy”. It is also called hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid.
Hydrogen Cyanide
It is a colorless, volatile, sweet-smelling liquid that has a suffocating odor used as a solvent formerly as a general anesthetic.
Chloroform
This class of drugs, derived from barbituric acid, is used primarily as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and is known for its potential for addiction.
Barbiturates
This bitter, poisonous alkaloid obtained from nux vomica is used as a rodenticide and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS).
Strychnine
This drug is a solvent for rubber gums, resins, and fats. (Also, Benzol).
Benzene