Poisoning and overdose Flashcards

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1
Q

What is deliberate self-poisoning?

A

Where someone has taken recreational drugs. We tend to just call it poisoning though

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2
Q

What is the duration of effect?

A

The length of time that a particular drug is effective. The duration of effect is highly variable dependent on the drug.

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3
Q

What is amphetamine?

A

Speed

Its a white powder that is snorted, smoked or injected

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4
Q

How does amphetamine work?

A

It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system resulting in tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia and hyperslertness

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5
Q

What is cocaine?

A

Blow, crack, coke

White powder that is snorted, smoked or injected.

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6
Q

What effect does cocaine have?

A

Alertness, general stimulation (highly addictive)

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7
Q

What is heroin?

A

Smack

White or off white powder, mixed with water and injected

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8
Q

What does heroin do?

A

Depressant.

Altered LOC, respiratory depression, respiratory arrest

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9
Q

What is LSD?

A

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Acid
Sheets of blotting paper covered with psychedelic patterns and impregnated with the drug.

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10
Q

What does LSD do?

A

Hallucinogen.

Visual, auditory, tactile. Paranoia, delusions

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11
Q

What is ketamine?

A

K, Special K

Liquid, usually in labelled ampoules

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12
Q

What does ketamine do?

A

Altered LOC, hallucinations

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13
Q

What is Psilocibin?

A

Magic mushrooms

Can be dried

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14
Q

What do magic mushrooms do?

A

Hallucinations, GI discomfort, muscarinis poisoning

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15
Q

What is marijuna?

A

Weed, dak, dope, grass

Dried leaves of cannabis plant, usually smoked, can be ingested

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16
Q

What does weed do?

A

Sedation, mild hallucinations, increased appetite

17
Q

What is GHB?

A

Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
G, Fantasy, Liquid E
Sedative agent with an unknown mechanism of action

18
Q

How do we think GHB works?

A

It has a similar chemical structure as GABA. It probably binds to GABA receptors in the brain, causing depression of the central nervous system, GHB was originally developed as an anaesthetic.

19
Q

What are the effects of GHB?

A

most users experience euphoria, hallucinations and other symptoms similar to being drunk.
Some users will experience a loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest and death

20
Q

What is the duration of effect of GHB?

A

GHB will take effect in 20 minutes and will typically last 4-6 hours.

21
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of GHB poisoning?

A

Altered LOC (>60% will have a GCS of

22
Q

How does MDMA work?

A

It blocks the reuptake of monoamines (noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin). These are all involved in sensation, pleasure and arousal. Noradrenaline in particular is the main neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system so many of the effects seen in a patient who has taken MDMA or any other methamphetamine are a result of overstimulation of the SNS.

23
Q

What are the common effects of MDMA?

A
Altered LOC
Anxiety/paranoia
Restlessness/dyskinesia (unable to sit still)
Hyperthermia
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Dysrhythmias
Chest pain
Diaphoresis
Urinary retention
Mydriasis (dilated pupils)
Bruxism (clenching jaw and grinding teeth)
24
Q

What is methamphetamine?

A

P, Pure, Meth, Crystal meth, Ice
Either powder or crystals. Can be inhaled nasally or smoked. Can also be mixed with water and injected IV.
Has a half life of up to 20 hours.

25
Q

What are the common side effects of methamphetamine?

A
Altered LOC
Anxiety/paranoia
Seizures
Stroke like symptoms
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Chest ppain
Dysrythmias
Hypertension
26
Q

What are some of the effects of alcohol?

A

Altered LOC
Altered behaviour
Aphasia (slurred, incomprehensible or nonsensical speech)
Ataxia (stumbling gait)
Dehydration
Decreased respiration (leading to respiratory arrest)
Hypotension

27
Q

What do we concentrate on the most when it comes to patients who have ingested recreational drugs?

A

Primary survey - in particular, airway.