A man has inhaled poison. After opening his airway, what is the next best action?

In cases of poison inhalation, the immediate priority after ensuring a clear airway is to administer high concentration oxygen. This action is critical because inhaled poisons can impair the body's ability to transport and utilize oxygen effectively, leading to hypoxia. By providing high concentration oxygen, you enhance the oxygen available to the tissues, potentially mitigating the adverse effects of the poison.

High concentration oxygen can help reduce hypoxia and support vital functions while also aiding in the dilution of the toxic substance in the lungs. This is especially important in cases of carbon monoxide or other toxic gas inhalation where the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood may be compromised.

Other options like administering activated charcoal or bronchodilators may have specific indications, but they can be inappropriate in acute poisoning situations, especially if the airway is not properly managed or if the poison is caustic. CPR would only be necessary if the patient is in cardiac arrest, which would typically require more assessment of the patient's condition before proceeding with that action. Therefore, the focus should initially be on securing oxygen to stabilize the patient.