Inhalants can cause which complications?

Inhalants can cause which complications?

• A. Seizures
• B. Cardiac arrest
• C. Both seizures and cardiac arrest
• D. None

Answer: (C)

Inhalants can affect both the brain and the heart, leading to serious acute complications. They disrupt oxygen delivery and can depress or irritate the nervous system, so hypoxia from inhaled vapors may provoke seizures in susceptible individuals. At the same time, many inhalants sensitize the heart to adrenaline-like surges, increasing the risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, which can progress to cardiac arrest. This combination means seizures and cardiac arrest are both possible outcomes, depending on the agent and the exposure. In care, prioritize airway and breathing with supplemental oxygen, be prepared for seizure activity, and monitor for pacing and rhythm changes to catch potential cardiac complications early.

Inhalants can affect both the brain and the heart, leading to serious acute complications. They disrupt oxygen delivery and can depress or irritate the nervous system, so hypoxia from inhaled vapors may provoke seizures in susceptible individuals. At the same time, many inhalants sensitize the heart to adrenaline-like surges, increasing the risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, which can progress to cardiac arrest. This combination means seizures and cardiac arrest are both possible outcomes, depending on the agent and the exposure. In care, prioritize airway and breathing with supplemental oxygen, be prepared for seizure activity, and monitor for pacing and rhythm changes to catch potential cardiac complications early.