Nerve agents patient assessment

Victims of certain chemical exposures will experience seizure activity. Patients must be protected from harm. Benzodiazepines are the mainstays in seizure treatment. Liberal doses are required titrate to effect. Termination of seizure activity may reflect onset of flaccid paralysis from the nerve agent rather than adequacy of anticonvulsant therapy. A bedside electroencephalograph (EEG) may be required to assess ongoing seizure activity. 

Nerve agents have a short latency and can rapidly produce life-threatening effects. The immediate assessment of a nerve agent victim should focus on the patient s clinical condition and the route of exposure as noted in Chap. 7. Vapour exposure usually causes immediate symptoms. Symptom onset can be significantly delayed after dermal exposure. 

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