Course Summary

Expiration Date: 10/28/2027

Heavy metal poisoning caused by environmental and occupational exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury is a significant public health issue in the USA. This essay explores the occurrence of heavy metal poisoning in the general population and highlights the severe physical, cognitive, and emotional impacts associated with heavy metal poisoning. It discusses the clinical approach to diagnosis, including laboratory testing and imaging studies, and outlines the primary treatment methods, chelation therapy, and symptomatic management. The essay also examines the long-term outcomes for affected individuals, emphasizing the importance of early detection, environmental interventions, and ongoing support. By adopting a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes and contribute to the prevention of heavy metal poisoning in vulnerable populations.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Sources of Heavy Metal Exposure
  • Epidemiology
    • Arsenic
    • Cadmium
    • Lead
    • Mercury
  • Pathophysiologic Effects of Heavy Metal Poisoning
    • Pathophysiologic Effects of Arsenic Poisoning
    • Organ System Damage and Arsenic
    • Pathophysiologic Effects of Cadmium Poisoning
    • Pathophysiologic Effects of Lead Poisoning
    • Pathophysiologic Effects of Mercury Poisoning
  • Social Factors of Heavy Metal Poisoning
    • Psychological Effects
    • Flint Michigan Water Crisis: Psychological Effects
  • Risk Factors and Early Recognition of Heavy Metal Poisoning
    • Arsenic: Risk Factors for Exposure and Poisoning
    • Cadmium: Exposure and Poisoning Risk Factors
    • Lead: Exposure and Poisoning Risk Factors
    • Heavy Metal Screening and Testing: Specific Laboratory Testing
  • Patient Advocacy
    • Listening to Patients Whose Voices Haven’t Been Heard
    • Resources for Patients and Clinicians
  • Case Example: Arsenic Poisoning in a Family
  • Summary

Author

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.