Final answer:
Activated charcoal is contraindicated for use in patients who have ingested strong corrosive substances, including both acids and alkalis, due to its ineffectiveness in binding these chemicals and potential to worse the injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
Activated charcoal administration is contraindicated in patients who have ingested corrosive substances such as strong acids or alkalis. The reason for this contraindication is because activated charcoal is not effective in binding to corrosive agents which include acids like hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric, perchloric, chloric and alkalis such as sodium and potassium hydroxides, soaps, and detergents. These substances can cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract, and administering activated charcoal can be ineffective or even exacerbate the injury due to the chemical's reactivity and capacity to cause burns.