SELF-DIRECTED STUDY QUESTIONS

 

Answers are given overleaf.  Please do not submit for marking.

 

  1. Which of the two drugs is probably responsible for the patient’s pupil dilation?
  2. Which of the two drugs is probably responsible for the hallucinations and ataxia?
  3. Name three primary medical dangers associated with combining cocaine and Ketamine.
  4. For each of these three dangers, outline which aspects of the case study indicate their presence.
  5. Had the head injury been more severe, how might this have (basically) complicated the presentation?

Answers►

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS

 

 

  1. Cocaine.
  2. Ketamine.
  3. Increased cardiac output, profound analgesic effects and the risk of convulsions.
  4. a) Increased cardiac output: tachycardia of 120b.p.m. and elevated blood pressure of 160/110.

b) Profound analgesic effects: Stephen does not respond to pain during basic neurological observations or on examination of his head injury.

c) Risk of convulsions: convulsions take place en route to A and E.

  1. Some of the symptoms produced by the injury could mimic that produced by the drugs, e.g., general disorientation, low GCS with poor response to pain, elevated blood pressure and convulsions.

 

 

 

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