Final answer:
Symptoms of ricin poisoning can include nausea, cough, dyspnea, and pulmonary edema when inhaled, along with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, emesis, bloody diarrhea, and potential organ failure when ingested. The correct answer to the symptoms of both inhaling and ingesting ricin is D: dehydration and convulsions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ricin is a highly potent toxin that can cause severe illness or death if inhaled or ingested. When considering the symptoms of ricin poisoning, we can refer to symptoms stated for both inhalation and ingestion routes of exposure. After a latent period of approximately 4-8 hours, individuals exposed to ricin may experience flu-like signs and symptoms, which can progress within 18-24 hours of inhalation to include nausea, cough, dyspnea, and pulmonary edema. In cases of ingestion, symptoms may include gastrointestinal hemorrhage, emesis, bloody diarrhea, and can lead to liver and kidney failure.
Based on this information, the most accurate answer to the symptoms of both inhaled and ingested ricin according to the options provided would be D. dehydration and convulsions, as these are directly related to the symptoms such as fever, headache, and potentially leading to more severe conditions such as shock and death if left untreated. It is important to note that although some symptoms overlap with other toxins, ricin has a distinct set of symptoms primarily affecting the respiratory and digestive systems, leading to organ failure in severe cases.