Cyanide is a chemical compound that contains a cyano group—a carbon molecule that
shares a triple bond with a nitrogen molecule. It can exist as a salt, liquid, or
gas, and it is sometimes identified as having a bitter almond smell but may also be
odorless. Cyanide is one of the most rapidly acting and deadly poisons, and signs
and symptoms of cyanide toxicity can manifest within seconds to minutes depending
on the route and duration of exposure. Sources of cyanide include insecticides, jewelry
cleaners, fruit seed pits, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, smoke inhalation in
enclosed-space fires, and medications such as sodium nitroprusside.
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Biography
David Dinh is Postgraduate Year 2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE.
Biography
Jamie M. Rosini is Clinical Pharmacist, Emergency Medicine, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 02, 2014
Footnotes
Earn Up to 9.5 CE Hours. See page 293.
Section Editor: Allison A. Muller, PharmD, D.ABAT
Submissions to this column are encouraged and may be sent to
Allison A. Muller, PharmD, D.ABAT
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© 2014 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
