Question

What psychosocial and developmental interventions should a nurse consider about home safety when caring for a child who has accidentally ingested toxic substances?

Answer 1

Psychological and developmental intervention:-
1. Removing the poisoning agent from
the environment (e.g. removal of
poisonous plants; removal of fuel
sources such as bottled kerosene).

2. Replacing the poisoning agent
with one of lower toxicity (e.g.
replacing aspirin with paracetamol;
reformulating methylated spirits to
include ethyl alcohol rather than
methanol).

3. Legislation (and enforcement)
of child-resistant packaging of
necessary poisonous agents (e.g.
medicines, household chemicals and
other toxins).

4. Reducing toxicity of poisoning
agents by packaging in non-lethal
concentrations or doses.

5. Establishing a poison control centre
to triage poisonings, dispensing
accurate and timely advice to
caregivers and health facilities,
directing first aid where appropriate,
and referring more severe
poisonings to treatment at a health facility.