Alcohol awareness

Question 1

What are the recommended alcohol units a week for men and women?

Answer 1

14 units for both

Question 2

What is hazardous drinking?

Answer 2

Pattern of alcohol use which increases someone’s risk of harm

Question 3

What is defined as higher risk drinking for men and women?

Answer 3

50+ units for men

35+ units for women

Question 4

What is defined as increased risk drinking for men and women?

Answer 4

Men: 22-50 units men
Women: 15-35 units

Question 5

330ml bottle of 5% lager?

How many units of alcohol in this?

Answer 5

330/1000 x 5 = 1.65 units

Question 6

What are current guidelines for alcohol intake in pregnancy?

Answer 6

Don’t drink at all (latest guidelines)

Question 7

Features of foetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 7

Small Underweight babies,
Slack muscle tone
Mental retardation, behavioural and speech problems. Characteristic facial appearance –> smooth philtrum, microcephaly, epicanthic folds, short palpebral fissures
Cardiac, renal and ocular abnormalities

Question 8

Triad of symptoms for Wernicke Encephalopathy?

Answer 8

Vitamin B1 deficiency often on withdrawal of alcohol:

1) Ataxia
2) Ophthalmoplegia
3) Mental confusion

Question 9

Treatment for Wernicke Encephalopathy?

Answer 9

IV Pabrinex (Thiamine)

Question 10

SSx of delirium tremens (occurs 48 - 72 hours after withdrawal)?

Answer 10

Nightmares,
Agitation
Global confusion, disorientation,
visual, auditory hallucinations,tactile hallucinations (bugs crawling over, Lilliputian hallucinations)
Fever,high blood pressure,heavy sweating
Tremor