Lacquer

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• For swallowed poison:
  • Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach.
  • Activated charcoal administration.
  • Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach.
  • Give IV fluids.
  • Admission to the hospital.
  • Give an antidote.
  • Treat the symptoms.
• For inhaled poisons:
  • A breathing tube may need to be inserted.
  • Oxygen.
  • Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit.
  • Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs).
• For skin exposure:
  • Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days.
  • Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin).
  • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care.