MK brought her two children ages 5 and 2 into the emergency

M.K. brought her two children, ages 5 and 2, into the emergency room of the hospital at about 4 p.m. because they had gotten into the medicine cabinet and eaten a bottle of children\'s aspirin. Neither the number of the tablets in the bottle nor the number that each had ingested was known. The mother was quite certain that the pills had been ingested within the hour. Urine from each child was available and a rapid test performed with chromogenic assay. The older child was not considered to be in danger, but the younger one had a gastric lavage. The results were 22 mg percent for the older child and 36 mg percent for the younger, who was admitted to the pediatric unit. 1. What range is considered normal? Danger? 2. What is the name of the chromogenic assay known as? 3. Are most drugs excreted as they are given or do they undergo chemical change in the body?

Solution

The serum concentration of salicylate, within a range of 15 to 30 mg/dL. The serum concentration exceeding 30 mg/dL is considered toxic. The signs of toxicity appear after 4 to 6 hours of ingestion. The signs of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, salicylism (ringing in the ears, confusion, and headache), hyperventilation, increased heart rate and fever.