For each of the following patients presenting with symptoms following a specific occupational or environmental exposure, select the most appropriate targeted pharmacologic therapy.
- A 34-year-old crop duster presenting with profuse diaphoresis, severe wheezing, pinpoint pupils, and generalized muscle twitching.Atropine and pralidoxime
- A 41-year-old battery manufacturing plant worker with a several-week history of severe constipation, joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, and microcytic anemia.Calcium disodium EDTA or succimer
- A 26-year-old metal extraction worker who collapses suddenly; laboratory testing reveals a profound lactic acidosis and bright red venous blood.Hydroxocobalamin or sodium thiosulfate
- A 52-year-old automotive plant worker who ingested an unknown industrial solvent and develops lethargy, a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, and acute kidney injury.Fomepizole
Answer
The correct matches pair organophosphate toxicity with atropine and pralidoxime, lead toxicity with calcium disodium EDTA or succimer, cyanide toxicity with hydroxocobalamin or sodium thiosulfate, and ethylene glycol toxicity with fomepizole.
Each occupational exposure scenario describes a classic toxidrome that dictates a highly specific pharmacologic intervention to either competitively antagonize the toxin, chelate it, or prevent its metabolism into toxic byproducts.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Recognition of specific occupational and environmental toxic exposures based on clinical syndromes and pairing them with their definitive pharmacologic antidotes.
Estimated Time:1m 30s