Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Administering a cyanide antidote kit is the most immediate and critical treatment for cyanide poisoning to counteract the toxic effects of cyanide on the body's cells and prevent tissue hypoxia. Oxygen administration, while important, is not sufficient on its own to reverse the binding of cyanide to cytochrome oxidase. Inducing vomiting is not a recommended first response as it may worsen the condition, especially if the poison has been ingested. Similarly, initiating CPR is secondary to antidote administration unless the patient is in cardiac arrest.