Final answer:
When assessing a patient who has been poisoned, immediate evaluation of their vital signs is essential. Identifying the type and amount of poison, including radioactive material, as well as patient details, is crucial for assessing damage and guiding treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although every poison will result in a specific set of symptoms and signs, always immediately assess the vital signs of every patient who has been poisoned. The effects of poisoning range from short-term illness to severe outcomes like brain damage, coma, and death. To prevent poisoning, it is critical to use and store products according to their label instructions and keep dangerous products out of reach of children. Treatment depends on the type of poison, hence identifying the poison is essential in managing the situation. Information such as the amount and type of radioactive material, time of ingestion, and the patient's age, weight, and medical history are crucial for assessing possible damage and determining the appropriate medical response.