Poisoning and alcohol withdrawal

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  • Created by: evepoag
  • Created on: 19-05-22 11:51
What are the 2 initial symptoms of drug overdose?
Vomiting and nausea
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If drug overdose is not treated within 72 hours, what happens?
Hepatic necrosis and failure
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What 5 questions should be asked when taking a history during a drug overdose?
1. What are the name(s) of the drugs or poisons taken?
2. How much and when?
3. What are the initial signs and symptoms?
4. Is there chronicity of use?
5. Are there any pre-existing diseases?
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What 4 key diagnostic investigations are needed?
Arterial blood gas
12-lead ECG
Monitor blood and urine drug levels
Toxicology screening
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Outline the ABCDE assessment of a drug overdose patient
Airway - observe for choking/obstruction, observe for vomit, use suction if needed

Breathing - monitor spo2, use o2 if needed, observe for increased or decreased RR, adventitious breath sounds
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Part 2
Circulation - observe for cyanosis or redness, check temperature and cut, monitor fluid balance

Disability - calculate GCS, observe pupils, observe for seizures, check blood glucose

Exposure - observe for rashes/burns, observe abdominal
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Outline the clinical emergency steps after the ABCDE assessment and treatment of drug overdose
1. limit absorption - activated charcoal
2. forced diuresis or urinary alkalisation
3. antidotes to specific drugs
4. enhance elimination via drugs
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What antidote is used for opiates?
Naloxone
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What antidote is used for benzodiazepines?
Flumazenil
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What antidote is used for insulin?
Glucagon
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What antidote is used for paracetamol?
N-Acetylcysteine
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What overdose causes major neurological disturbances?
Lithium
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What is the audit-C tool?
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption
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What are some signs/symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal?
Tremours
Sweating
Insomnia
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Muscle pain
Anxiety
Agitation
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When does acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome begin?
6-8 hours after reduction in alcohol
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How long might it last?
3-7 days
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What is the most serious sign of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Delirium tremens (DTs)
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What are the symptoms of delirium tremens?
tremours
fear, paranoid thinking
agitation
disorientation
hallucinations
sweating
tachycardia
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What is the mortality associated with DTs?
Fatal in 15-20% patients
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What is another serious symptom of acute alcohol withdrawal?
seizures
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What is Wernicke's Encephalopathy?
It is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent brain damage.

It is serious symptom of alcohol withdrawal, as alcohol prevents body from getting enough thiamine (vitamins B1)
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What scale is used to assess severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
Glasgow modified alcohol withdrawal scale
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What 5 criteria does this scale look at?
Tremours
Sweating
Hallucination
Orientation
Agitation
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Outline the emergency care for alcohol withdrawal
1. Take a history and an AUDIT-C
2. get blood tests and look at possible alcohol-related liver disease
3. commence IV pabrinex
4. admit patient if symptoms are present
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

If drug overdose is not treated within 72 hours, what happens?

Back

Hepatic necrosis and failure

Card 3

Front

What 5 questions should be asked when taking a history during a drug overdose?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What 4 key diagnostic investigations are needed?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Outline the ABCDE assessment of a drug overdose patient

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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