What is the typical dose of activated charcoal for poison ingestion in an adult?

The typical dose of activated charcoal for adult patients who have ingested poison is 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, with a maximum limit set at 50 grams. This dosing guideline is established to ensure that an adequate amount of activated charcoal is administered to effectively adsorb a variety of toxins and prevent their absorption into the systemic circulation.

Activated charcoal works by binding to the poison in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps to reduce the overall amount of the substance that enters the bloodstream. The guideline of up to 50 grams helps prevent the administration of excessively large volumes that could lead to complications, particularly digestive issues or choking.

The other options suggest dosing that either falls outside the recommended standards or does not take into account the variability in patient sizes. For instance, administering a fixed dose such as 2 grams for all adults fails to account for different body weights and the varying amounts of toxin that may need to be managed. Similarly, a lower dose of 0.5 grams per kilogram is insufficient for effective treatment, while the suggestion of only providing activated charcoal for severe cases (5 grams) undermines its potential usefulness in less severe situations where toxin exposure has occurred.