Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties
Lesson 3: Treating Blood, Choking, and Blister Agent Casualties
3-11
3-11. IDENTIFY AND TREAT INHALED TOXIC SUBSTANCES
The preceding paragraphs have dealt with chemical agents used on the battlefield. Sometimes, soldiers may be accidentally exposed to toxic chemical vapors such as ammonia gas, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, chlorinated hydrocarbons (petroleum distillates), and chlorine gas used to kill bacteria in water. Figure 3-1 gives signs and symptoms associated with inhaling these toxic gasses and treatment for the casualties. An intravenous infusion (IV) lifeline is usually established using D5W (5 percent dextrose in water).
|
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
|
TREATMENT |
|
AMMONIA GAS |
|
|
Irritation of eyes, respiratory tract Coughing, choking Abdominal pain
|
Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes Positive pressure oxygen Humidified support respirators |
|
NITROGEN OXIDE |
|
|
Burning in eyes, nose, throat Fatigue Cough, dyspnea Pulmonary edema Bronchitis, pneumonia
|
Pure oxygen, humidified Absolute bed rest Suction, if needed Postural drainage |
|
SULFUR OXIDE |
|
|
Respiratory tract irritation Sneezing Cough, dyspnea |
Remove from contaminated area Positive pressure oxygen, humidified Support respirations |
|
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS |
|
|
Euphoria Burning of chest Headache CNS depression Weakness, confusion |
Oxygen, humidified Support respiration |
|
CHLORINE |
|
|
Severe irritation of respiratory tract and eyes Glottal spasm Coughing Vomiting Pulmonary edema Cyanosis Choking
|
Oxygen, humidified Support respiration |
Figure 3-1. Signs and symptoms associated with inhaling toxic gasses and treatments.
