Nurse Information

INHALANT ABUSE SYMPTOMS & CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Paint or stains on clothing or body, especially face and hands.
Presence of chemical-soaked rags, plastic or paper bags, socks or clothing or latex balloons.
Drunk, dazed, dizzy or drowsy appearance lacking explanations.
Anxiety, excitability, irritability.
Red or runny eyes or nose.
Spots, sores or rash around the mouth or nose.
Chemical breath odor.
Nausea, loss of appetite, drooling.
Unexplained abusable products hidden, nearby or in possession of suspected abuser (i.e. aerosol sprays or paint, lighters or refills, glues, solvents, propane, etc.)

Special Considerations

Approaching a Suspected Abuser

Use extreme caution, trying not to frighten. Abusers, adult or youth, may be very excitable and given to impulsive or violent behavior. They may use unanticipated physical strength. Any fright may cause sudden heart failure. If unconscious, remove vapor source/bag, use CPR to stabilize.

Accident or Death Scene Investigation

Suspect inhalants when unexplained intoxicated behavior is observed or death without obvious causes, i.e. no other "drugs" evident, no obvious wounds or weapons. Suspect inhalants when victim is found with a bag over head; traces of paint on mouth, nose or hands; or rash around mouth and/or nose. Check vicinity for abusable products and/or paraphernalia. Identify/note location then "bag" suspected products or product labels and paraphernalia for both analysis and cause of death determination by medical examiner, pathologist, toxicologist or coroner.

Additional Resources

Continuing Education

An interactive online continuing education course is available for nurse professionals at http://www.rnceus.com. The following is a breif introduction to the course:

A 12 year old in the Emergency Room with frostbite..... A 14 year old admitted to the medical center with multiple injuries after jumping from a balcony….. A 13 year old girl in the Pediatric Clinic with chronic headaches…. A 21 year old dead from a cardiac arrest. What do they all have in common? INHALANT ABUSE. Would you recognize the symptoms?

There are an alarming number of youths inhaling chemicals for euphoric purposes. Previously considered a drug of adolescents, inhalants are being used increasingly by preteen age children, some as young as 5 and 6. Cheap and abundant, inhalants are an easy way for youths to "get high". These substances are physically and psychologically addicting and can cause death.

Nurses need to be able to recognize the signs of inhalant abuse. This is especially important, because most abusers seek help for medical or psychological problems, without mentioning the source of the problems—Inhalants.

PDF Symptoms Flyer

Click here to download a PDF flyer of Inhalant Abuse symptoms. These flyers are perfect for posting in workstations.