general investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

In general, blood should be taken for:

  • salicylate and paracetamol levels
  • glucose
  • blood gases
  • U+E's

Samples of urine, gastric aspirate or vomitus should be retained.

The presence of opiate poisoning in the patient with pinpoint pupils may easily be ascertained with i.v. naloxone.

Paraquat may easily be identified from a urine sample.