Poisoning

Short Answer Questions

1. Define the following phrases and terms associated with the signs and symptoms of Dr. Westwood’s TTX poisoning:

Diaphoresis: sweating, especially to an unusual degree ad symptoms of a disease or side effect of a drug

Motor dysfunction: denoting those neural structures that, by the impulses generated and transmitted by them, cause muscle fibers or pigment cells to contract or glands to secrete.

Paresthesias: an abnormal or inappropriate sensation in an organ, part, or area of the skin, as of burning, prickling, tingling, etc.

Cyanotic: a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from inadequate oxygenation of the blood

Hypoventilating: a decrease in the depth and rate of breathing; characterized by an increased in blood carbon dioxide.

Bradycardia: a heart rate below 60 beats per minute

Gastric lavage: washing out the stomach with sterile water or a saltwater solution; removes blood or poisons

Oxygen saturation: a term referring to the concentration of oxygen in the blood.

2. As mentioned in the case description, tetrodotoxin is a molecule that blocks voltage-gated sodium ion channels. What is a voltage-gated sodium ion channel and what is its function?

Voltage-gated sodium ion channels are essential for action potentials. These channels open and close to allow the flow of sodium, potassium, or calcium ions in or out of a cell. The gates open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential preparing for the generation and propagation of possible action potential.

3. When nerve cells are at rest, there is an unequal amount of positive and negative charges on either side of a nerve cell membrane. This charge difference creates an electrical potential. Describe how the resting membrane potential (resting potential) is generated.

Resting potential is a neutral state across the membrane, inside and outside of a cell. At this stage it is said to be polarized at approximately -70mV. The...