9. Chemical Exposures

9.3. Management of Nerve Gas Exposure

Decontamination is important with dermal exposure to prevent continued patient exposure, but also decrease exposure to medical personnel. Atropine 2mg (0.05 mg/kg) IV/IM can be given every 2-5 minutes until secretions improved. This only treats the muscarinic symptoms. Oximes must be given, ideally prior to aging, to reactivate the organic phosphorus compound-inhibitied cholinersterase enzyme and reverese the neuromuscular symptoms. Pralidoxime (2-PAM) is the only US FDA approved Oxime. There are other oximes available worldwide, including the H-Series (HI-6,HI-7).