ACLS Certification - Official Site | Powered by CPR.com
ACLS Certification - Official Site | Powered by CPR.com Contact Us | 1-800-448-0734 |e-Verify | Log in |
Get ACLS Certified Today

Toxicology: Diagnostic Workup Video

ACLS Certification Association videos have been peer-reviewed for medical accuracy by the ACA medical review board.

Video at a Glance

  • For patients with suspected overdoses, clinicians perform a six-step diagnostic workup.
  • First, check vital signs, paying close attention to temperature, heart rate, and respiratory depression.
  • Second, get an EKG for the patient and put them on telemetry if available, monitoring for signs of ischemia or arrhythmia.
  • Third, conduct a toxicology screen. -Fourth, conduct a urinalysis to check for myoglobin.
  • Fifth, check blood chemistries and scan for electrolyte abnormalities.
  • Lastly, consider a head CT scan to rule out a potential head bleed.

More Free Resources to Keep You at Your Best

ACLS Certification Association (ACA) uses only high-quality medical resources and peer-reviewed studies to support the facts within our articles. Explore our editorial process to learn how our content reflects clinical accuracy and the latest best practices in medicine. As an ACA Authorized Training Center, all content is reviewed for medical accuracy by the ACA Medical Review Board.

More Videos