HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

What type of poisoning is most common in children under age 6?

1. Oral ingestion

2. Topical contact

3. Inhalation

4. Eye splashes

The correct answer is: Oral ingestion

Oral ingestion is indeed the most common type of poisoning in children under age 6. This age group is particularly curious and tends to explore their environment by putting objects and substances into their mouths. Household products, medications, and even certain plants can easily be accessed by young children, leading to unintentional poisonings. The prevalence of oral ingestion in this demographic highlights the importance of proper storage of potentially harmful substances out of reach and using child-proof containers. Other types of poisoning, such as topical contact, inhalation, and eye splashes, are less frequent in this particular age group. While they can occur, children are less likely to encounter toxic substances through these routes simply because they do not commonly interact with chemicals in ways that would lead to poisoning through contact, inhalation, or eye exposure. Thus, the significant risk factors surrounding oral ingestion make it the most common type of poisoning among young children.