Intoxication Signs
Client is disinhibited, has impaired coordination, and becomes aggressive after consumption of substance.
Answer: What is alcohol?
Rationale: Alcohol is a CNS depressant that impairs motor function and lowers inhibitions, often leading to aggression.
Client is lethargic, irritable, and sleeps excessively after discontinuing use.
Answer: What are stimulants?
Rationale: Stimulant withdrawal causes a 'crash' with fatigue, depression, and hypersomnia due to CNS downregulation.
Client is having a hypertensive crisis with irregular heartbeat. The client is at risk for stroke and seizure activity at this time
Answer: What are stimulants?
Rationale: Stimulant overdose can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and seizures due to excessive CNS stimulation.
Monitor vital signs and administer benzodiazepine medication to prevent seizures and agitation.
Answer: What is alcohol?
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are used to manage alcohol withdrawal and prevent complications like seizures.
This substance is known for effects of increasing appetite and decreasing nausea so has been used in medical settings.
Answer: What is cannabis?
Rationale: Cannabis affects the brain's reward and memory centers, leading to increased appetite. It is also used to decrease nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
Client is energetic, talkative, and has dilated pupils, elevated heart rate and blood pressure after using a substance.
Answer: What are stimulants?
Rationale: Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines increase CNS activity, causing hyperactivity and cardiovascular stimulation.
Client complains of body aches, nausea, and frequent yawning after stopping use.
Answer: What are opioids?
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal includes flu-like symptoms and autonomic hyperactivity but is not life-threatening.
Client collapsed suddenly with signs of oxygen deprivation and cardiac instability.
Answer: What are inhalants?
Rationale: Inhalants can cause sudden sniffing death due to cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxia.
Provide emergency naloxone to reverse respiratory depression and ensure airway patency.
Answer: What are opioids?
Rationale: Naloxone is administered to reverse opioid effects and restore breathing.
This drug is sometimes misused in social settings due to its sedative and memory-blocking effects.
Answer: What is flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)?
Rationale: Rohypnol is known for its misuse in assaults due to its amnesic and sedative properties.
Client reports seeing things that others do not, has distorted perception, and is highly anxious.
Answer: What are hallucinogens?
Rationale: Hallucinogens alter sensory perception and can cause anxiety due to unpredictable effects on reality.
Client is sweating, shaking, and anxious several hours after stopping substance use.
Answer: What is alcohol?
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal begins within hours and can lead to severe symptoms including tremors and anxiety.
Client is unresponsive, has tiny pupils, and shallow breathing.
Answer: What are opioids?
Rationale: Opioid overdose presents with pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression, often requiring naloxone.
Gradually reduce dosage and monitor for neurological symptoms.
Answer: What are sedatives/hypnotics?
Rationale: Tapering prevents withdrawal seizures and allows safe detoxification.
This substance is responsible for a high number of overdose fatalities in North America.
Answer: What are opioids?
Rationale: Opioids are linked to a national crisis due to their high potential for fatal overdose.
Client is extremely drowsy, has slowed speech, and shows poor attention span.
Answer: What are opioids?
Rationale: Opioids depress the CNS, leading to sedation, slowed speech, and impaired cognition.
Client is restless, has trouble sleeping, and is at risk for seizures after stopping medication.
Answer: What are sedatives/hypnotics?
Rationale: Withdrawal from sedatives can be dangerous due to risk of seizures and rebound anxiety.
Client is unconscious, has slow breathing, and vomited after a night of heavy substance use.
Answer: What is alcohol?
Rationale: Alcohol overdose depresses the CNS, leading to respiratory depression and loss of consciousness.
Use therapeutic communication and refer to community support resources.
Answer: What is any substance use disorder?
Rationale: Supportive counseling and peer groups are essential for recovery and relapse prevention.
This substance may cause facial flushing in certain ethnic groups due to enzyme differences.
Answer: What is alcohol?
Rationale: Genetic variations in alcohol metabolism enzymes can cause flushing and increased sensitivity.
Client has dry mouth, and increased appetite. They are having a hard time keeping track of conversation and time, making conversation difficult.
Answer: What is cannabis?
Rationale: Cannabis often causes euphoria, dry mouth, increased appetite, and impaired short-term memory.
Client feels mentally unsettled but shows no physical symptoms after stopping use.
Answer: What are hallucinogens or inhalants?
Rationale: These substances typically do not produce physical withdrawal but may cause psychological cravings.
Client has dangerously low respiratory rate and may require airway support. The client is at risk for seizures and coma.
Answer: What are sedatives/hypnotics?
Rationale: Sedative overdose depresses respiratory centers and may necessitate mechanical ventilation.
Treat symptoms and monitor for complications related to oxygen and heart function.
Answer: What are inhalants?
Rationale: Supportive care is needed to manage toxicity and prevent fatal outcomes.
This drug class may cause persistent perceptual disturbances long after use.
Answer: What are hallucinogens?
Rationale: Hallucinogens can lead to flashbacks and long-term perceptual changes.