A young adult patient is admitted to the hospital for evaluation ...

[Alygatorr01285]

A young adult patient is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of severe weight loss. The nurse admitting this patient notes that the patient has missing teeth and severe tooth decay.
 
  The patient's blood pressure is 160/98 mm Hg. The patient has difficulty answering questions and has trouble remembering simple details. The nurse suspects abuse of which substance?
  a. Cocaine
  b. Ecstasy
  c. Marijuana
  d. Methamphetamine

Question 2

A patient who is agitated and profoundly anxious is brought to the emergency department. The patient acts paranoid and keeps describing things in the room that do not exist. A cardiac monitor shows an irregular ventricular tachycardia.
 
  Which medication will the nurse expect to administer?
  a. Anticocaine vaccine
  b. Diazepam (Valium)
  c. Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  d. Vigabatrin (Sabril)

[juiceman1987]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Methamphetamine causes all of the symptoms shown by this patient. These are not symptoms associated with cocaine, Ecstasy, or marijuana.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
This patient is showing signs of acute cocaine toxicity. Diazepam can be given to reduce anxiety and suppress seizures, which may occur. Anticocaine vaccine, disulfiram, and vigabatrin are drugs under investigation for treating cocaine addiction.

[Alygatorr01285]

Excellent

[cassie_ragen]

TYSM