Alcohol And CNS Depressants

Question 1

In most states, the legal limit of BAC is

Answer 1

80 mg/dL or 0.08 g/L or 8%

Question 2

What are two alcohol bio markers for liver damage?

-Used to screen for heavy, chronic use

Answer 2

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST)

Question 3

How long after abstinence will GGT remain elevated for?

Answer 3

2-6 weeks

Question 4

How long after onset of abstinence will AST remain elevated?

Answer 4

7 days

Question 5

What are two things we often see with chronic use of alcohol

Answer 5

Increased MCV and hypertension

Question 6

Very high BAC causes

-Can be fatal

Answer 6

Respiratory depression

Question 7

following abrupt cessation, heavy drinkers will experience withdrawal 6-24 hours after last drink. What is a major symptom?

Answer 7

Tremors (also anxiety, GI upset)

-Mental status is INTACT

Question 8

6 to 48 hours after the last drink, we can see

-Occur in clusters of two or three

Answer 8

Alcohol seizures

Question 9

Also during alcohol withdrawal, around 12-48 hours after last drink, patients may have

-Often animals or insects

Answer 9

Alcohol hallucinations

Question 10

Occurs 72 and 96 hours after last drink

• Most severe withdrawal manifestation
• 20% mortality

Answer 10

Delirium Tremens

Question 11

Characterized by delirium, markedly altered mental status, and autonomic hyperactivity

Answer 11

Delirium Tremens

Question 12

Patients with delirium tremens may die from

Answer 12

Hyperthermia, arrhythmia, and fluid/electrolyte abnormalities

Question 13

Treatment for alcohol withdrawal

-Improves agitation and prevents progression

Answer 13

Benzodiazepines

Question 14

What are the three FDA approved drugs for alcoholism?

-reduce risk of relapse

Answer 14

Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate

Question 15

Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, which causes the accumulation of acetaldehyde

Answer 15

Disulfiram

Question 16

Triggers catecholamine release and provides a negative response to drinking with sweating, flushing, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting

Answer 16

Disulfram

Question 17

Long acting opioid antagonist that is given orally to prevent relapse

Answer 17

Naltrexone

Question 18

Modulates NMDA receptors so that alcohol consumption will disrupt CNS equilibrium

Answer 18

Acamprosate

Question 19

A common side effect of Acamprosate (15%) is

Answer 19

Diarrhea

Question 20

Anti-seizure GABA activator with a narrow therapeutic index

-Has been largely replaced by Benzodiazepines

Answer 20

Barbituates

Question 21

Barbituates are dangerous if used together with

Answer 21

Alcohol

Question 22

An overdose of barbituates causes

Answer 22

Respiratory Depression

Question 23

Heavy users of barbituates must be weaned. Abrupt withdrawal causes

Answer 23

Delirium, hallucinations, and seizures

Question 24

CNS depression with normal vitals is a classic sign of overdose on

Answer 24

Benzodiazepines

Question 25

Leads to altered mental status, slurred speech, and ataxia

Answer 25

Benzodiazepines overdose

Question 26

Antagonist of benzodiazepine receptor that is used to treat benzo overdose

Answer 26

Flumazenil

Question 27

Flumazenil may cause

Answer 27

Withdrawal seizures

Question 28

Benzodiazepines withdrawal can cause tremors, anxiety, depressed mood, and

-Can be life threatening

Answer 28

Seizures

Question 29

The treatment for Benzodiazepine withdrawal is

Answer 29

Benzos