Alcohol

Question 1

What is the daily recommended intake?

Answer 1

14 units

Question 2

How much alcohol is allowed in pregnancy?

Answer 2

0 in first trimester, 2 onwards

Question 3

What is described as a dangerous intake? (units)

Answer 3

35 for women

50 for men

Question 4

How to calculate the no. of units?

Answer 4

% x mls

• 12% bottle of wine: 9 units
• 40% litre of whisky: 40 units

Question 5

How long does it take to metabolise a unit of alcohol

Answer 5

1 hour

Question 6

When does delirium tremens peak?

Answer 6

72 hours

Question 7

Sx of delirium tremens?

Answer 7

Acute confusion, seizures, hallucinations (visual and tactile)

Question 8

Tx of delirium tremens?

Answer 8

Supportive fluids
Chlordiazepoxide,
Prevent/ treat seizures

Question 9

Sx of Wernickes encephalopathy

Answer 9

• Confusion
• Ataxia
• Ophthalmoplegia - paralysis of muscles of the eye

Question 10

Tx of Wernickes encephalopathy

Answer 10

Requires thiamine (B1 / pabrinex)

Question 11

What can Wernickes encephalopathy lead to?

Answer 11

Korsakoffs syndrome

Question 12

Sx of Korsakoffs syndrome

Answer 12

• Amnesia - retrograde and anterograde
• Confabulation
• Personality changes

IRREVERSIBLE

Question 13

Physical problems from alcohol

Answer 13

• Pancreatitis - diabetes - amputation
• Erectile dysfunction
• Liver damage
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Anaemia
• Cancer - mouth, oesophagus, liver, breast, bowel

Question 14

Screening for alcohool

Answer 14

CAGE

AUDIT - 10 point questionnaire

Question 15

Medications to help with alcohol addiction

Answer 15

Antabuse - disulfiram

Acomprosate - GABA blocker

Naltrexone (specialist centres only)

Question 16

How does acomproaste work

Answer 16

GABA blocker

Question 17

SEs of acomprosate

Answer 17

pain or weakness

loss of appetite

nausea

dizziness

anxiety

diarrhoea

itching or sweating

depressed mood

sleep problems (insomnia)

dry mouth

numbness or tingly feeling