National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

Tinnitus, vomiting, dehydration, and respiratory alkalosis are symptoms most likely associated with which type of poisoning?

1. Salicylate poisoning

2. Mercury poisoning

3. Lead poisoning

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

The correct answer is: Salicylate poisoning

The symptoms of tinnitus, vomiting, dehydration, and respiratory alkalosis are most commonly associated with salicylate poisoning, which primarily stems from the ingestion of aspirin or similar medications that contain salicylic acid. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a notable symptom in salicylate toxicity due to its impact on the auditory pathways of the central nervous system. The gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting, can occur as the body reacts to the toxic levels of salicylates, leading to irritation of the stomach lining. Dehydration may result from excessive vomiting and the body's inability to maintain fluid balance when faced with toxic levels of the substance. Furthermore, respiratory alkalosis occurs as a result of hyperventilation, which can be triggered by metabolic acidosis that is often associated with salicylate toxicity, as the body attempts to compensate for the increased acid levels by expelling carbon dioxide. In contrast, mercury poisoning typically presents with neurological symptoms and may include gastrointestinal distress, but it does not commonly cause respiratory alkalosis. Lead poisoning is associated with a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain and neurological impairments, rather than the specific combination observed here. Carbon monoxide poisoning predominantly leads to neurological symptoms due to hypoxia and does