What findings in an 11-year-old patient who ingested parts of a household plant would suggest poison absorption?

In cases of potential poisoning, particularly in children, the presence of confusion and lethargy is significant as it suggests a more systemic effect of a toxic substance. When a child has ingested a toxic plant or part of one, neurotoxicity may occur, which can manifest as changes in mental status, including confusion and decreased responsiveness or lethargy. These symptoms indicate that the poison has moved beyond local irritation—likely from the digestive tract—and is affecting the central nervous system.

The other findings, while they may be associated with plant ingestion, do not necessarily indicate systemic absorption of toxins. Missing leaves from the plant could suggest ingestion but do not confirm absorption or the severity of the poisoning. Nausea and vomiting can occur with many gastrointestinal irritants and are often the body's initial response to a toxic substance, but they alone do not indicate that the poison has been absorbed. Similarly, abdominal pain is also a common symptom that can arise from ingestion of various substances, including benign ones. While they may accompany more severe symptoms, they do not directly suggest that a significant poisoning event has occurred.