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In cases of acid and alkali poisonings, which of the following should NOT be administered to the patient?

  1. Activated charcoal

  2. Water

  3. Vomit inducing agents

  4. Antacids

The correct answer is: Vomit inducing agents

In the context of acid and alkali poisonings, administering vomit inducing agents is not advisable. This is because the ingestion of corrosive substances, such as acids or alkalis, can lead to severe damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Inducing vomiting can exacerbate this damage, as it may cause additional irritation or burns when the harmful substance is brought back up through the throat. In contrast, activated charcoal is generally used in cases of poisoning to adsorb toxic substances, although its use may depend on the specific poison and time since ingestion. Water may be helpful in diluting the substance if safe to do so, and in some cases, antacids may be employed to neutralize acid in the stomach. However, the primary concern with acid and alkali poisonings is the potential for further injury that can result from forcing vomiting, making the choice to avoid vomit inducing agents critical in the management of these types of poisonings.