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Toxicology: History Video
ACLS Certification Association videos have been peer-reviewed for medical accuracy by the ACA medical review board.
Video at a Glance
- Clinicians must get a patient history in the case of a suspected overdose.
- If the patient is alert and cooperative, take a verbal history.
- If the patient isn’t alert or cooperative, first responders must pay attention to the patient’s environment, checking for needles, vials, bottles, or other paraphernalia in the home.
- The history of the present illness should include what drugs were involved, the time, the amount, the route, and the concurrent use of other drugs, including medications.
- Clinicians should also ask about the patient’s injury history, current symptoms, comorbidities, medications, and allergies.
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