What should an emergency nurse prioritize if they suspect a child has been poisoned?

When an emergency nurse suspects that a child has been poisoned, the priority is to gather information on the substance involved. This is crucial because the type of poison can significantly influence treatment decisions and potential antidote administration. Understanding what the child ingested or was exposed to, including the amount and time of exposure, helps guide the appropriate interventions, whether that includes activated charcoal, specific antidotes, or supportive care.

Prompt identification of the substance allows for immediate actions to be taken, such as initiating decontamination procedures or contacting poison control for guidance on management. The information gathered will also support any further medical treatments or assessments that might be necessary.

While psychological counseling, advanced imaging studies, and contacting the child's physician may be relevant in the broader context of managing a pediatric patient, they do not take precedence over the immediate need to identify the substance involved in a poisoning case. Understanding the specific toxin enables the emergency team to respond effectively and potentially save the child's life.