psych Flashcards
How should you confirm positive urine drug screens?
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
What is the most common fatal complication with use of inhalants in teenagers ?
Cardiac arrhythmias
What diagnosis should you consider in a patient with agitation and ataxia who has hydrocarbon smell on breath, but urine tox screen is negative?
Inhalant use
What can occur with chronic use of inhalants?
Encephalopathy
What type of drug use should you consider in a patient who is combative with muscle rigidity, vertical & horizontal nystagmus? What would you expect the pupils to be like?
PCP - normal pupils
What type of drug use should you expect in a combative patient with tachycardia, tremors, HTN and dilated pupils? (2 answers)
Cocaine
Amphetamines
What type of drug use should you consider in a combative and agitated patient without tremors and with a normal heart rate? (2 answers)
Opiates
Alcohol
What are 4 psychological consequences with marijuana use?
Learning problems
Poor problem solving skills
Memory impairment
Worsening anxiety/depression
what are 4 acute physical signs of marijuana use?
Dry mouth
Dilated pupils
Drowsiness
Distortion of time
What are 3 chronic effects of marijuana use?
Pulmonary compromise
Tachycardia
Gynecomastia
What are 4 additional signs you may find in a teenage patient who presents with ataxia, slurred speech, visual disturbance and vomiting ? What is the likely diagnosis ?
Sluggish pupils Excessive sweating Flushed skin Hypoglycemia *alcohol toxicity*
What symptoms occur with opiate overdose in regards to 1. Breathing, 2. Blood pressure, 3. Temperature, 4. Stooling/urination, 5. Pupils?
- Respiration depression/arrest
- Hypotension
- Hypothermia
- Constipation/urinary retention
- Miosis
What are the possible causes of death in patients with severe opioid overdose? (3 answers)
Respiratory arrest
Circulatory collapse
Seizures
What should you suspect in a patient with anxiety, rhinorrhea, insomnia and stomach cramps?
Opioid withdrawal
What are the signs of amphetamine abuse in regards to vitals and pupils? What psych finding is specific to amphetamine use?
Tachycardia Hypertension Hyperthermia Sluggish dilated pupils *feeling insects crawling on skin