Question
A farmer was brought to the emergency department of the hospital presenting with
lacrimation, salivation, sweating and breathlessness. O/E he is having miosis, blurring
of vision, bronchospasm with copious trachea-bronchial secretions with BP-
100/60mmHg and PR-60/min. He gives history of spraying a strong insecticide in his
agricultural field.
(
(a) What is the likely diagnosis
( 1 mark(s)
(b) Briefly outline the general measures of management
( 2 mark(s)
(c) Discuss in detail the drugs used to manage this condition with its rationale for use 3 mark(s)
Q2 6 marks Essays ★ ✓
Answer
a) Diagnosis
Organophosphate (insecticide) poisoning — the muscarinic toxidrome (lacrimation, salivation, sweating, miosis, bronchorrhoea, bronchospasm, bradycardia) following occupational insecticide spray exposure is classic.
b) General measures of management
Remove the patient from the contaminated area, remove and discard contaminated clothing
Decontaminate skin (wash thoroughly with soap and water) to halt continued absorption
Maintain airway, breathing, and circulation — suction copious secretions, give oxygen, ventilatory support if needed
Continuous monitoring of vitals and pupil size to titrate antidote therapy
c) Drugs used, with rationale
Atropine — competitively blocks muscarinic receptors, reversing bronchorrhoea, bronchospasm, bradycardia, and excessive secretions; titrated to effect (drying of secretions), often requiring large repeated doses. Does not reverse nicotinic effects (muscle weakness/fasciculations).
Pralidoxime (2-PAM) — a cholinesterase reactivator that reverses both muscarinic and nicotinic effects by displacing the organophosphate from acetylcholinesterase, but only if given before the enzyme-organophosphate complex “ages” (becomes irreversibly bound) — most effective when given early, alongside atropine.
Diazepam — controls seizures/agitation and has been shown to reduce mortality when given alongside atropine and pralidoxime.
1 Cholinergic System
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