You have been called for a young female patient who overdosed on several drugs. What is the most essential step for the EMT to perform while caring for this patient?

Toxicological emergencies are caused by substances that impair health or cause death by entering the body or touching the skin. These emergencies include: intentional overdose, unintentional poisoning, occupational exposure, environmental hazards, envenomation, biologic and chemical warfare, and radiation illness.  Toxicological emergencies are often complex and require a deep understanding of pharmacology. For example, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause mild to severe symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, seizure, and coma. Other important findings in poisoning may... Show more

Toxicological emergencies are caused by substances that impair health or cause death by entering the body or touching the skin. These emergencies include:
intentional overdose, unintentional poisoning, occupational exposure, environmental hazards, envenomation, biologic and chemical warfare, and radiation illness. 

Toxicological emergencies are often complex and require a deep understanding of pharmacology. For example, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause mild to severe symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, seizure, and coma. Other important findings in poisoning may include: muscle rigidity, tremors, and fasciculations. 
 

Here are some tips for treating poisonings:
For poisons taken internally:
Look into the victim's mouth and remove all tablets, powder, or any material that is present
Examine the mouth for cuts, burns, swelling, unusual coloring, or odor 

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