Author Question: A postoperative patient receiving meperidine (Demerol) becomes stuporous and has constricted pupils. ... (Read 95 times)

neverstopbelieb · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A postoperative patient receiving meperidine (Demerol) becomes stuporous and has constricted pupils. The respiratory rate has dropped to 8 breaths/min. Which of the following drugs should the health care provider immediately obtain from the emergency cart

a. Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef)
b. Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
c. Naproxen (Naprosyn)
d. Naloxone (Narcan)

Question 2

The health care provider is preparing a community teaching project about risks associated with alcohol use. Which one of the following rates accurately describes the rate at which the liver bio-transforms alcohol?

a. 2 mL/hr
b. 10 mL/hr
c. 40 mL/hr
d. 60 mL/hr

pocatato · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Administration of naloxone (Narcan) (short-acting) or naltrexone (Vivitrol) (longer-acting), the pure opioid antagonists, to an overdosed patient rapidly reverses the coma and respiratory de-pression of opioids. Since naloxone has little significant action on its own, it can be used to dif-ferentiate overdose with opioids from that of other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, reversing opioid toxicity but not that of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Although the rate of metabolism differs with acute or chronic ingestion and other factors, it is generally about 10 mL/hr. This is the amount of alcohol contained in 3 to 4 oz of wine or cham-pagne (12 alcohol), 8 to 12 oz of beer (4 alcohol), or 20 to 30 mL of 90-proof spirits (45 alcohol).