Sodium nitrite is used to treat exposure to which chemical hazard?

Sodium nitrite is used to treat exposure to which chemical hazard?

• A. Cyanide
• B. Mercury
• C. Anthrax
• D. Nerve agent

Answer: (A)

Sodium nitrite is used in cyanide poisoning because it creates methemoglobinemia, and methemoglobin has a high affinity for cyanide. When nitrite-induced methemoglobin forms, cyanide preferentially binds to the methemoglobin to form cyanomethemoglobin, which frees cytochrome oxidase in tissues to resume using oxygen. A second antidote in the typical kit, thiosulfate, provides sulfur to convert cyanide to thiocyanate for renal excretion. This two-step approach helps to restore cellular oxygen use after cyanide exposure. Sodium nitrite is not a treatment for mercury, anthrax, or nerve agents, which are addressed with different antidotes or therapies. Remember, nitrite therapy can cause methemoglobinemia and hypotension, so careful dosing and monitoring are essential.

Sodium nitrite is used in cyanide poisoning because it creates methemoglobinemia, and methemoglobin has a high affinity for cyanide. When nitrite-induced methemoglobin forms, cyanide preferentially binds to the methemoglobin to form cyanomethemoglobin, which frees cytochrome oxidase in tissues to resume using oxygen. A second antidote in the typical kit, thiosulfate, provides sulfur to convert cyanide to thiocyanate for renal excretion. This two-step approach helps to restore cellular oxygen use after cyanide exposure. Sodium nitrite is not a treatment for mercury, anthrax, or nerve agents, which are addressed with different antidotes or therapies. Remember, nitrite therapy can cause methemoglobinemia and hypotension, so careful dosing and monitoring are essential.