Question

The patient’s blood pressure was brought back down to normal levels; however, she was complaining of a burning sensation in her throat and mouth followed by nausea and vomiting, diaphoresis, agitation, and dyspnea. The nurse noticed a sweet almond smell in her breath. An arterial blood gas revealed a significant metabolic acidosis. A serum test suggests a metabolite of nitroprusside, thiocyanate, is at toxic levels.

1. What is the likely cause of her symptoms?
2. What is the biochemical mechanism of this problem?
3. What is the treatment for this condition?

Answer 1

1. Diagnosis: Cyanide poisoning from toxic dose of nitroprusside.

2. Biochemical mechanism: Cyanide inhibits mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, blocking electron transport and preventing oxygen utilization. Lactic acidosis results secondary to anaerobic metabolism.

3. Treatment: Supportive therapy, gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination, oxygen, and antidotal therapy with amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate.

Answer 2

she had cyanide poisoning
do its level in blood
do hemodialysis