What symptom is characterized by decreased heart rate and excessive salivation in poisoning cases?

The symptom characterized by decreased heart rate and excessive salivation in poisoning cases is known as a cholinergic crisis. This condition arises from the overstimulation of acetylcholine receptors due to an accumulation of acetylcholine, often caused by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that normally breaks down acetylcholine.

In a cholinergic crisis, you may observe a range of symptoms, including bradycardia (decreased heart rate) and increased secretions, such as excessive salivation. These effects are a direct result of enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activity, which is responsible for bodily functions that occur when the body is at rest. Among the symptoms, the combination of bradycardia and salivation is particularly indicative of this type of poisoning, often associated with exposure to certain pesticides or nerve agents.

Other options, like cardiac arrest, atropinization, and hypoglycemia, do not typically present with this specific combination of symptoms. Cardiac arrest involves a complete cessation of heart function, atropinization refers to the pharmacological effects of atropine—a drug that actually reduces salivation and increases heart rate, countering cholinergic effects—and hypoglycemia primarily leads to symptoms related to low blood sugar