Intoxication/Withdrawal and Treatment Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Tremors
Hallucinations
Seizures,
DTs
What are the treatments for alcohol withdrawal?
Thiamine, MVI (for vitamin def), Folic acid, benzos
What is the action of alcohol on the body?
Decreases glutamate and increases GABA
What is the location of the action of amphetamine on the body? (cocaine)
Mesolimbic pathway and nucleus accumbens
What are the signs and symptoms of an amphetamine intoxication?
Euphoria Hypervigilance Autonomic hyperactivity Weight loss Dilated pupils Perceptual issues
A patient comes in and is acting very paranoid about their surroundings, has an increased heart rate and BP, dilated pupils, and sweating. The patient is also having some difficulty understanding what is happening around them. What substance intoxication do you suspect?
Amphetamines
How do you treat an amphetamine intoxication?
Antipsych
Benzos
anti-HTN
What are the signs of amphetamine withdrawal?
Anxiety Tremors Headaches Increased appetite Depression RISK OF SUICIDE
What are the signs and symptoms of inhalant intoxication?
Belligerence Apathy Aggression Impaired Judgement Stupor
Nasal Crusting
Rash
Dilated pupils
Parkinsonian like sx
How do you treat inhalant intoxication?
Antipsych
What are the signs and symptoms of inhalant withdrawal?
Nausea Excessive sweating Muscle cramps Headaches Chills Agitation Shaking Hallucinations
What is used to treat inhalant withdrawal?
Benzos
Antipsychotics
You have a patient come in and he appears to be apathetic and dysphoric
Upon examination you find that he is tired and is having trouble staying awake and notice that he has slow speech. His pupils are also pinpoint. What are you suspecting is the intoxicating agent?
Opiates
What are the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal?
Fever, chills, runny nose, diarrhea, muscle spasms, cramps
What are the symptoms of a PCP intoxication?
Belligerence Psychomotor agitation Violence Nystagmus HTN Seizures
Where does PCP act in the body?
Antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors
A patient comes to the ED accompanied with friends, who state that the patient started acting weird at a party. They state that she has been talking about things that are not there and has been sweating a lot. You do an examination and notice that the patient has her jaw clenched. During the examination she starts to seize. What do you think is the offending agent?
Ecstasy: MDMA, Molly
What do you treat an Ecstasy intoxication with?
Dantrolene
Benzos
Hydration
What are the symptoms of benzo intoxication?
Slurred speech
Confusion
Memory deficits
Falls
A patient comes into the ER with increased anxiety. While talking to the patient, you notice tremors. The patient also states that he has not been sleeping.
Given that the patient is anxious, has been having problems sleeping, and has tremors, what substance do you think the patient is withdrawing from?
Benzos
How do you treat benzo withdrawal?
With benzos
List the agent that is causing the intoxication based on the sx:
restlessness, agitation, insomnia, N/V, anxiety, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, increased heart rate
Respiratory depression
Barbiturates
How do you treat a barbiturate withdrawal?
Phenobarbital
Which is more dangerous, benzos or barbiturates?
Barbiturates
