- Investigations for diagnosis of poisoning.

Investigations for diagnosis of poisoning

There are general & toxicological measures ......

• ECG.
• Urea & electrolytes , lab glucose, anion gap /- lactate & osmolal gap.
• Liver function Tests & Clotting (paracetamol, anticoagulants).

• Arterial Blood Gases.

• Drug levels (at appropriate interval: Paracetamol, salicylates; others: theophylline, digoxin, lithium, anti-epileptics if it was likely that they had been taken).

• Comprehensive toxicology screens not normally indicated in the emergency treatment.
• Carboxyhaemoglobin levels if carbon monoxide suspected.
• Urinalysis , save sample for possible toxicological analysis.

• Rhabdomyolysis , save sample for possible toxicological analysis.

• Chest X-Ray if pulmonary oedema/aspiration suspected.