Final answer:
To keep a patient alive when exposed to paralytic chemical agents like curare, it is crucial to assist their breathing with mechanical ventilation, administer anticholinergic drugs like atropine for symptom management, and provide oximes as antidotes to counteract the toxins.
Step-by-step explanation:
With paralytic chemical agents or drugs, such as curare, maintaining the patient's ability to breathe is essential for survival. Since these substances cause flaccid paralysis of muscles by inhibiting the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, respiratory muscles can be paralyzed, necessitating the use of mechanical ventilation to keep the patient alive. In cases of nerve agent poisoning, treatment often involves anticholinergic drugs such as atropine to manage symptoms, and oximes to act as an antidote by reactivating acetylcholinesterase.
Moreover, because nerve agents can lead to asphyxiation or cardiac arrest by affecting respiratory and other muscles, immediate medical intervention is crucial. Individuals exposed to these toxins may require hospitalization and breathing assistance, sometimes for an extended period, depending on the severity of the exposure and the timeliness of the antidote administration.