North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What indicates that a person has ingested a poison and requires activated charcoal treatment?

1. They are unconscious

2. They are alert and can swallow

3. They are breathing irregularly

4. They have cold extremities

The correct answer is: They are alert and can swallow

The key factor in determining whether a person requires activated charcoal treatment after ingesting a poison is their ability to swallow safely. When a person is alert and can swallow, it indicates that they can potentially take the activated charcoal, which is often used to absorb toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. This treatment can help reduce the absorption of the poison into the bloodstream, thereby mitigating its harmful effects. If a person is unconscious or unable to swallow, administering activated charcoal could lead to choking or aspiration, which can further complicate their medical condition. Irregular breathing may indicate a more severe systemic effect from the poison, while cold extremities could point to shock or poor perfusion. In either case, those situations would require other interventions rather than simply administering activated charcoal. Thus, the ability to swallow is crucial in this context, making it the appropriate condition under which to use activated charcoal.