What are common signs of organophosphate poisoning?

Prepare for the ANCC Adult–Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Nausea and vomiting are indeed common signs of organophosphate poisoning. Organophosphates are a class of chemicals typically found in pesticides, and exposure can lead to a range of symptoms due to their action as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This inhibition results in the accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve synapses, ultimately causing overstimulation of the nervous system. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting often manifest as the body reacts to the toxin.

The other choices represent signs that typically do not align with organophosphate poisoning. Drowsiness and confusion can occur but are not as specific or common as gastrointestinal symptoms. Hypotension and hypothermia are not hallmark signs of this type of poisoning; instead, organophosphate poisoning often causes bradycardia, respiratory distress, and increased secretions. Asymmetry and border irregularity pertain to skin lesions, which are unrelated to organophosphate exposure and more relevant to other medical conditions like melanoma.

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