Which statement about ingestion of poisons is true?

• A. In some cases, the patient should drink water or milk and vomiting should be induced
• B. Ingestion should be ignored if no symptoms occur
• C. Activated charcoal is always given
• D. Ingestion always requires gastric lavage

Answer: (A)

When a poison has been ingested, what to do depends on the substance and how much time has passed. In some cases, diluting the poison with water or milk and, under professional guidance, inducing vomiting can help remove the toxin before it is absorbed. This approach is time-sensitive and not appropriate for all poisons, so it should only be used when advised by poison control or a clinician.

Why the other statements don’t fit: you shouldn’t ignore ingestion just because there are no symptoms yet, since some toxins cause harm even after a delay. Activated charcoal isn’t always given because it isn’t effective for all substances and can be harmful in certain cases. Gastric lavage isn’t routinely performed; it’s an invasive procedure with risks and is only used in specific, life-threatening situations under medical supervision.