What is the first step in emergency care for a patient with an absorbed poison?

The first step in emergency care for a patient with an absorbed poison is to brush any dry chemicals or solid toxins from the patient's skin. This is crucial because leaving these substances on the skin can lead to further absorption, increasing the patient's exposure to the poison. By carefully removing these dry chemicals, you minimize the risk of skin irritation and systemic absorption that could cause more serious harm.

It’s important to act swiftly and efficiently to ensure that the protective barrier of the skin is maintained, and any potential for ongoing exposure is reduced. Following brushing off the toxins, you would typically follow up with other measures, such as rinsing the skin with water, once you're sure that any dry material has been removed.

The other options focus either on inappropriate actions or delayed responses. For instance, flushing the affected skin with a small amount of water may not be effective if there are still solid particles present that could be washed deeper into the skin. Leaving clothing and jewelry on can trap the poison against the skin, exacerbating the problem, and neutralizing the chemical may not always be feasible or safe, as it depends on the specific substance involved and could require advanced training or protocols that aren't suitable for initial pre-hospital care.