CBRNE - Nerve Agents, G-series - Tabun, Sarin, Soman Clinical Presentation
- Author: Kermit D Huebner, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Robert G Darling, MD, FACEP more...
History
Symptoms of nerve agent toxicity vary with the type of cholinergic receptor affected, muscarinic, nicotinic, or CNS.[2]
- Respiratory - Dyspnea, cough, chest tightness, wheezing
- Neurologic - Headache, weakness, fasciculations, extremity numbness, decreased level of consciousness (LOC), vertigo, dizziness, convulsions
- Ophthalmic - Eye pain, blurred vision, dim vision, conjunctival injection, tearing
- Ear, nose, throat - Rhinorrhea
- Gastrointestinal - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tenesmus, fecal incontinence
- Genitourinary - Urinary incontinence
- Dermal - Sweating
- Psychological - Agitation
- General - Fatigue
Physical
Signs of nerve agent toxicity also vary with the type of cholinergic receptor affected.
- Respiratory - Tachypnea, wheezing, respiratory failure
- Cardiovascular - Bradycardia, tachycardia
- Neurologic - Decreased LOC, weakness, fasciculations, seizure
- Ophthalmic - Miosis, tearing, conjunctival injection
- Dermal - Sweating
Causes
Nerve agent exposure may occur as a result of an industrial accident involving nerve agent production, accidental release from a military stockpile, chemical warfare, and chemical terrorism.[8]
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