A preschooler is seen in the emergency department for suspected poisoning. In which order would the nurse perform the actions?

• A. Assess the victim; Terminate poison exposure; Identify the poison; Prevent poison absorption.
• B. Terminate poison exposure; Identify the poison; Prevent poison absorption; Assess the victim.
• C. Identify the poison; Assess the victim; Terminate poison exposure; Prevent poison absorption.
• D. Assess the victim; Prevent poison absorption; Terminate poison exposure; Identify poison.

Answer: (A)

In an emergency with suspected poisoning, the highest priority is stabilizing the child by assessing and supporting airway, breathing, and circulation. This ensures the child can be kept alive and responsive to further treatment. Once the child’s condition is stabilized, the next step is to terminate the poison exposure to stop any further absorption from ongoing contact with the toxin. After exposure is halted, identifying exactly what poison was involved is crucial because knowing the substance directs the specific treatment plan and any required decontamination steps. Only after these steps should you implement measures to prevent further absorption, such as appropriate decontamination or antidotal therapy tailored to the identified poison and the time since exposure. This sequence prioritizes immediate life-saving care, then stopping ongoing harm, then guiding targeted therapy.