What is the main goal for treating a poisoning patient?

The main goal for treating a poisoning patient focuses on supporting the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation until the poison can be eliminated from their system. This approach is crucial because effective management of these vital functions ensures that the patient remains stable while further treatment is underway.

Prioritizing the airway, breathing, and circulation helps prevent life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrest, which can occur in cases of poisoning. Once the patient’s vital signs are stabilized, additional interventions can then be employed, such as administering antidotes or providing supportive care contingent on the type of poison involved.

While administering an antidote can be an important part of the treatment process, it's not the primary focus until the patient is stable. Additionally, while managing seizures might be necessary in some cases of poisoning, controlling symptoms alone does not address the urgent need for overall stabilization first. Transporting the patient to a poison control center may be necessary, but it may not always be an urgent requirement; the immediate need is to ensure the patient's vital functions are maintained before or during transport.