Alcohol

Question 1

How many units a week is considered to be hazardous drinking?

Answer 1

> 14 units but <35 for women

> 14 units but < 50 for men

Question 2

How many units a week is considered to be harmful drinking?

Answer 2

> 35 units for women
50 units for men

Question 3

What is meant by impaired control of alcohol?

Answer 3

-Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
-There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.

Question 4

What is meant by social impairment of alcohol?

Answer 4

Recurrent alcohol use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.

Question 5

What is meant by risky use of alcohol?

Answer 5

Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.

Question 6

Which is the drug of choice used in alcohol detoxification?

Answer 6

Chlordiazepoxide (type of benzodiazepine)

Question 7

List some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Answer 7

-Tremor, sweating, nausea, retching
-Increased HR, BP, T
-Anxiety, agitation
-Insomnia, nightmares
-Auditory, visual, tactile hallucinations
-Withdrawal seizures (0-48 hours)
-Delirium tremens (48-72 hours) coarse tremor, confusion, delusions, hallucinations

Question 8

What are some of the more serious complications of alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 8

Seizures
Hallucinosis
Delirium Tremens
Wernicke Encephalopathy

Question 9

What is given as prophylaxis for Wernicke Encephalopathy?

Answer 9

Thiamine (vitamin B1)

Question 10

List three relapse prevention medication that can be used in the UK.

Answer 10

Acamprosate
Naltrexone
Disulfiram

Question 11

What is the classic electrolyte triad of refeeding syndrome?

Answer 11

Low magnesium
Low phosphate
Low potassium

->not all three drop the same rate, sometime snot all three appear to drop

Question 12

What can low magnesium cause?

Answer 12

Cardiac abnormalities- VT and VF

Question 13

Treatment of refeeding syndrome?

Answer 13

Speak to dietetics or nutrition team.

Reintroduce calories slowly.

Expect electrolyte redistribution and replace accordingly via IV

Give thiamine

Question 14

Treatment of alcoholic ketoacidosis?

Answer 14

Fluids
Dextrose- slowly
Thiamine
Correcting electrolyte imbalance

Question 15

Triad seen in Wernicke’s?

Answer 15

Gate ataxia or imbalance
Nystagmus/ophthalmoplegia
Confusion

Question 16

What has to be given in treatment of Wernicke’s?

Answer 16

Thiamine