S4C3 Flashcards
What us the cage questionnaire?
The CAGE is a simple screening questionnaire to identify potential problems with alcohol. “CAGE” is an acronym formed from the questionnaire (cut - annoyed - guilty - eye opener).
Two “yes” responses is considered positive for males
one “yes” is considered positive for females
What are the questions in CAGE?
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
- Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?
What is ALT?
An enzyme found in your liver and kidney and is released into the blood when the liver is damaged
What is ALP?
An enzyme found in your liver and bones, increased in response to cholestasis
What is bilirubin? (brief)
Product of the breakdown of red blood cells and is excreted by the liver. High levels causes jaundice
What does high ESR show?
Inflammatory activity
How much ethanol is in 1 unit of alcohol?
8g of pure ethanol
What is Beck’s calculation?
Unit = amount (ml) x ABV
What is the pathway of alcohol?
Mouth + Oesophagus - Alcohol is diluted by saliva before being swallowed, Some is immediately absorbed
Stomach - More alcohol is absorbed here - leading to irritating the lining of the stomach and increasing the acidity
Small Intestine - Any remaining alcohol is passes here and is the site of the most alcohol absorption
Blood stream - Alcohol quickly diffuses through the body, affecting almost all cells
Brain - These cells are more susceptible because they are usually protected from toxins by the bbb
Liver - Blood-alcohol is metabolized in two stages and the respired into CO2. H2O and fatty acids
Excretion via urine, the lungs and sweat
What are the general effects of alcohol?
Stimulant at low levels
CNS depressant at moderate to severe doses
What does an acute administration of alcohol lead to?
Increase inhibitory transmission at gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA-A) channels Increase serotonin (5HT-3)function Increased dopamine release Increased transmission at opiate receptors reduction of excitatory transmission at the NMDA subtype of the glutamate receptor
What are the bad social effects of alcohol?
Unwanted pregnancy
STDs
Cause of road traffic accidents
Major cause of domestic, football and other violence
What are the bad physical effects of alcohol?
Foetal alcohol syndrome Increase risk of oral/head/neck cancers Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Systemic hypertension Peripheral neuropathy CNS e.g. Korsakoff' psychosis, Wernicke's encephalopathy Withdrawal syndromes Alcohol poisoning Affect GI tract
What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?
Confusion Loss of coordination Vomiting Seizures Irregular or slow breathing (<8 breath/min) Blue or pale skin Hypothermia Stupor - conscious but unresponsive Unconsciousness
What is the affect of alcohol on the oesophagus?
Carcinoma of oesophagus, especially squamous carcinoma
Oesophageal varices, associated with chronic liver disease
What is the affect of alcohol on the Stomach?
Acute gastritis
Acute ulceration
Chronic peptic ulceration
Portal gastropathy
What is the affect of alcohol on the Pancreas?
Acute pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
What is the basic normal function of the Liver?
Protein synthesis - albumin, clotting factors
Glycogen storage
Deamination
Detoxification of xenobiotics, hormones, ingested drugs
Bilirubin metabolism
What are the stages of alcoholic liver disease?
Acute fatty Change
Alcoholic hepatitis
Hepatic fibrosis
Describe the acute fatty change stage
Predominantly acinar zone 3
Mainly large droplet - macrovesicular
May cause acute hepatic failure
Describe the Alcoholic hepatitis stage
Mallory’s hyaline
Intracytoplasmic accumulation of keratin
Associated neutrophil polymorph infiltration
Describe the hepatic fibrosis stage
Starts in acinar zone 3
Initially pericellular fibrosis
Caused by activation of hepatic stellate (Ito) cell
Facultative myofibroblast
Leads to Cirrhosis which is irreversible and potentially to a Hepatocellular carcinoma
What are the mechanisms for Alcohol related disease?
Direct toxic effect
Indirect metabolite effect - Acetaldehyde
Activation of free radicals
Induction of enzyme systems - Cytochrome p450
Nutritional deficiencies esp. B group vitamins Liver function impairment
What does the GMC say about respecting patients?
You must not use your professional position to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient or someone close to them.
You must not express your personal beliefs (including political, religious and moral beliefs) to patients in ways that exploit their vulnerability or are likely to cause them distress.
You must be open and honest with patients if things go wrong. If a patient under your care has suffered harm or distress, you should:
1. put matters right (if that is possible) 2. offer an apology 3. explain fully and promptly what has happened and the likely short-term and long-term effect
What is the PRIME theory of motivation?
1: It is wants and needs at each moment that drive our behaviour.
2: Our intentions and beliefs about what is good or bad only influence our actions if they create sufficiently strong wants and needs at the relevant moment.
3: Our image our ourselves and how we feel about that, our identity, is a potentially very strong source of wants and needs which can be enough to overcome ones arising from biological drives such as hunger.
What is the self-regulation model?
The planful action designed to change the course of one’s behaviour
The executive capacity to plan, guide and monitor ones behaviour flexibly according to changing circumstances
Addictive behaviours are seen as the result of having an excessive reliance on external structures
It is important in the development of drug use problems
What is the Cue exposure theory?
Classic conditioning Plays part in development and maintenance of addictive behaviours A cue that has been present when drugs were administered is more likely to elicit a conditioned response 2 types of cue Exteroceptive - occur before use Smell of alcohol Sight of needle Time of day Interoceptive Effects of receptors Mood cues
What causes Diarrhoea ?
Increased osmotic load in colon increases fluid in faeces
Osmotic load - incomplete digestion and absorption of food
Lack of enzymes or transporters
Damage to mucosal cells
Osmotic load - secretion of ions by gut