Diagnosing toxicity from vital signs
Bradycardia (PACED)
- Propranolol (beta-blockers), poppies (opiates), propoxyphene, physostigmine
- Anticholinesterase drugs, antiarrhythmics
- Clonidine, calcium channel blockers
- Ethanol or other alcohols
- Digoxin, digitalis
Tachycardia (FAST)
- Free base or other forms of cocaine, freon
- Anticholinergics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, amphetamines, alcohol withdrawal
- Sympathomimetics (cocaine, caffeine, amphetamines, PCP), solvent abuse, strychnine
- Theophylline, TCAs, thyroid hormones
Hypothermia (COOLS)
- Carbon monoxide
- Opioids
- Oral hypoglycemics, insulin
- Liquor (alcohols)
- Sedative-hypnotics
Hyperthermia (NASA)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, nicotine
- Antihistamines, alcohol withdrawal
- Salicylates, sympathomimetics, serotonin syndrome
- Anticholinergics, antidepressants, antipsychotics
Hypotension (CRASH)
- Clonidine, calcium channel blockers
- Rodenticides (containing arsenic, cyanide)
- Antidepressants, aminophylline, antihypertensives
- Sedative-hypnotics
- Heroin or other opiates
Hypertension (CT SCAN)
- Cocaine
- Thyroid supplements
- Sympathomimetics Caffeine
- Anticholinergics, amphetamines
- Nicotine
Rapid respiration (PANT)
- PCP, paraquat, pneumonitis (chemical), phosgene
- ASA and other salicylates
- Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, nerve agents
- Toxin-induced metabolic acidosis
Slow respiration (SLOW)
- Sedative-hypnotics (barbiturates, benzodiazepines)
- Liquor (alcohols)
- Opioids
- Weed (marijuana)
Coma (LETHARGIC)
- Lead, lithium
- Ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethchlorvynol
- Tricyclic antidepressants, thallium, toluene
- Heroin, hemlock, hepatic encephalopathy, heavy metals, hydrogen sulfide, hypoglycemics
- Arsenic, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antihistamines
- Rohypnol (sedative hypnotics), risperidone
- G: GHB
- Isoniazid, insulin
- Carbon monoxide, cyanide, clonidine