Critical Care Area
Be certain that appropriate decontamination has been carried out (see Decontamination Area above).
ABC Reminders
Evaluate and support airway, breathing, and circulation as in ABC Reminders above. Establish intravenous access in seriously ill patients if this has not been done previously. Continuously monitor cardiac rhythm. To avoid inducing ventricular fibrillation, use sympathomimetics or catecholamines with caution. Beta-blockers may be more effective than lidocaine in treating patients who have arrhythmia.
Patients who are comatose, hypotensive, or have seizures or ventricular arrhythmia should be treated in the conventional manner. Avoid sympathomimetics or catecholamines or use them with caution. Beta-blockers may be more effective than lidocaine in cases of prolonged or resistant arrhythmia.