Opioid overdose treatment Chapter 26: Study Guide with Complete Solutions 2023

The primary cause of death in opioid overdose is respiratory stimulation. Treatment for opioid overdose is naloxone (Narcan). - ANSWER-The first statement is false; the second statement is true. The primary cause of death in opioid overdose is respiratory depression, not stimulation. The triad of narcotic overdose includes respiratory depression, coma, and pinpoint pupils. Naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist, should be administered immediately to prevent serious brain damage. If the patient does not respond to the naloxone, it is unlikely that the respiratory depression was caused by opioid overdose. Who are the primary abusers of nitrous oxide? - ANSWER-Nitrous oxide is abused primarily by dental personnel due to its ready availability. Food service employees sometimes become nitrous oxide abusers because it is available in the aerosol of canned whipping cream products. Agents that are capable of changing behavior or inducting psychosis-like reactions (psychoactive agents) have no therapeutic value. Use of these agents is always illegal. - ANSWER-Both statements are false. Psychoactive agents can be divided into those that also have therapeutic value (opioids and sedative-hypnotics) and those that have no proven therapeutic value (psychedelics). Some agents, such as marijuana, move from one category to another. When used recreationally, marijuana leads to impairment and is illegal. It is now used for treatment of chemotherapy-associated nausea and glaucoma, although more controlled studies are required to establish true efficacy. The dental treatment of the alcoholic patient may require which modifications? - ANSWER-The dental treatment of the alcoholic patient may require some modifications, depending on the severity of the disease. Most alcoholics have poor oral hygiene, so extra attention should be focused on this area. The major problems alcoholics face are difficulties with liver function. Hepatic failure decreases the liver's ability to store vitamin K, which is necessary for formation of clotting factors. Alcoholics often have bleeding tendencies, including spontaneous gingival bleeding. Healing after surgery may be slow and bleeding difficult to control. As liver function is reduced, the liver is less able to effectively metabolize drugs. Levels of drugs that are metabolized in the liver, such as amide local anesthetics and oxidized benzodiazepines, do not fall as rapidly as in normal patients, so dosage reductions are required. Which two characteristics make psychedelics or hallucinogens particularly contribute to periodic, rather than continuous, abuse of these drugs? - ANSWER-Psychedelic-induced dependence is psychological, not physical, and tolerance develops quickly. These two characteristics combined with the unpredictable response contribute to periodic, rather than continuous, abuse of these drugs. Prolonged used can cause long-lasting mental disturbances varying from panic reactions to depression to schizophrenic reactions.