Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal generally starts ______ hours after the patient's last drink.
What is 6 to 24 hours
Assessment tool used to treat opiate withdrawal
Slurred speech, ataxia, poor physical coordination
Tool that can be used by all providers, anytime during admission, preferably in the ED to determine the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
What is the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale (PAWSS)?
Used if a patient is found in cardiac or respiratory arrest.
What is a code blue?
Restlessness, irritability, tremors, hallucinations, seizures...
What are signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, agitation, insomnia, neuropathy
What are signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal?
Assessment tools used to monitor patient with a benzodiazepine withdrawal
What is the CIWA-Ar?
2 Electrolyte imbalances in ETOH abuse that can cause the lethal cardiac arrhythmia Torsades De Pointes
(polymorphic ventricular tachycardia)
What is magnesium and potassium?
Used when a patient has aggressive or self harming behaviours
What is a code gray ?
What are the 2 long-acting benzodiazepines that are used to front load patients with a CIWA score greater than 19?
What are Valium and Phenobarbital?
Medication used for a patient with an opiate overdose
What is Narcan?
Acute seizures and delirium can occur during this withdrawal syndrome
What is abrupt withdrawal of chronic benzodiazepine use?
2 side effects of Precedex (dexmedetomidine) that require close patient monitoring.
What is :
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Called when there is a fire
What is a code RED?
What level of withdrawal is a CIWA Ar score greater than or equal to 19.
What is severe or complicated withdrawal symptoms?
Name 2 additional medications that are used for symptom relief of nausea and autonomic hyperactivity during opioid withdrawal.
Antiemetics: Zofran
Autonomic Hyperactivity: Catapres
The reversal agent for Benzodiazepines
What is Flumazenil ( Romazicon)?
What team of specialists can be consulted to assist with complex withdrawal symptom management?
What is the behavioral health/case management team?
Called if patients or visitors are confronted by an active shooter
What is a code silver ?
This is a preferred method of detoxing a patient from alcohol with a CIWA greater than 19.
What is frontloading?
Patients may be prescribed this medication as part of their detox process, particulary if they are admitted to SPARC
What is Buprenorphine (Subutex)?
When a patient has refractory withdrawal symptoms despite medical management with CIWA scoring and medications
What is transfer to a higher level of care?
Alcohol-induced psychosis may benefit from adjunct treatment with antipsychotic medications. When administering antipsychotic medications such as Zyprexa or Haldol, what ECG measurement is important to monitor and trend?
What is monitor the patients QTc.
This code is called when there is a threat, suspected or actual explosive device.
What is a code Black?