Which actions are included as decontamination steps?

• A. Reduce Toxin Intake
• B. Reduce Absorption of Toxin
• C. Increase Elimination of Toxin
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Decontamination involves stopping further exposure and removing or neutralizing the toxin that’s already present. Reducing toxin intake means preventing any more exposure—like removing contaminated sources or clothing and avoiding additional ingestion. Reducing absorption focuses on preventing the toxin from entering the bloodstream, with actions such as washing and decontaminating skin or eyes and, when appropriate, GI decontamination (for example, using activated charcoal within the time window to bind toxins in the gut). Increasing elimination covers methods to help the body remove what has been absorbed, including supportive care with fluids to enhance renal clearance and, for certain toxins, more advanced measures like dialysis or other toxin-specific elimination strategies. Because each of these steps either limits absorption or promotes removal, they are all considered parts of decontamination.