Which treatment is used for cyanide poisoning?

Prepare for your NCLEX-RN with the Mark Klimek Yellow Book Test. Study using flashcards, multiple choice questions, and gain insights with detailed hints and explanations. Get ready for your nursing career!

Sodium thiosulfate is the correct treatment for cyanide poisoning because it acts as a cyanide antidote, promoting the conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate, which is a less toxic compound that the body can eliminate through urine. This mechanism helps to mitigate the toxic effects of cyanide on the body's cells and tissues, particularly the central nervous system and heart, which are severely affected by cyanide exposure.

Activated charcoal is typically used in cases of certain types of poisoning to limit absorption of toxins if administered shortly after ingestion, but it is not specific for cyanide and would not be effective once cyanide has been absorbed into the bloodstream.

Atropine is used primarily for bradycardia and as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning, not for cyanide toxicity. It does not address the underlying issue of cyanide binding to cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiration process.

Administering oxygen can support patients who are hypoxic, but it does not counteract the cellular effects of cyanide poisoning. While oxygen is important for overall oxygen delivery, it does not treat the toxicological aspects of cyanide exposure.

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