RICIN TOXICITY

Course overview

RICIN IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING CARBOHYDRATE-BINDING PROTEIN PRODUCED IN THE SEEDS OF RICINUS COMMUNIS, THE PLANT THAT PRODUCES CASTOR OIL. IT IS TOXIC WHEN INHALED, INGESTED, OR INJECTED. AS FEW AS FIVE TO TEN MICROGRAMS PER KILOGRAM CAN BE LETHAL. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS EFFECTED BY RICIN TOXICITY, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR THESE PATIENTS.