with answers |\
A 47-year-old man is admitted to a psychiatric unit for depression
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with suicidal ideation and detoxification. He has a long history of
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dependence upon both alcohol and cocaine. Which of the |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
following signs is most characteristic of early alcohol withdrawal?
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A. Decreased blood pressure
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B. Hypersomnia
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C. Persistent hallucinations
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D. Tremor |\
E. Increased appetite
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The correct answer is D. |\ |\ |\ |\
Explanation: Tremor is the most characteristic sign of alcohol |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
withdrawal. Vital signs are elevated in alcohol withdrawal |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
because of autonomic hyperactivity. Patients generally have
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insomnia as a result, not hypersomnia. Hallucinations associated|\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
with alcohol withdrawal usually resolve within a week, while
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those occurring in delirium tremens usually resolve with the
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delirium. Cocaine withdrawal more typically involves |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
hypersomnia and hyperphagia. |\ |\
A 54-year-old man is admitted to the hospital for elective surgery.
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He has been through alcohol rehabilitation, but has continued to
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struggle with his drinking. He alerts the primary service taking
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care of him that he has continued to drink up to the time of his
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admission. In what time frame after cessation of all drinking is he |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
at most risk for delirium tremens?
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A. 6 to 8 hours
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B. 8 to 12 hours
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C. 12 to 24 hours
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,D. 48 to 96 hours
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E. Over 1 week
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The correct answer is D.
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Explanation: Withdrawal symptoms usually, but not always, occur |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
in stages: tremulousness or jitteriness (6-8 hours), psychosis and
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perceptual symptoms (8-12 hours), seizures (12-24 hours), and
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DTs (24-72 hours, up to 1 week).
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An elderly woman presents to the emergency department due to
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a hip fracture. She reports that she "hasn't been feeling very
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well" recently, and is vague and hard to pin down regarding
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details. You think that there might be the odor of alcohol on her
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breath and suspect alcohol use disorder. Which of the following
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findings would be most supportive of your concern? |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
A. A healed scar from a previous fall several years ago
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B. Microcytic anemia
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C. Elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
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D. Slightly elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), with
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normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) |\ |\ |\
E. Mini-mental state examination score of 28/30
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The correct answer is C.
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Explanation: Laboratory tests in alcoholics commonly show |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
macrocytic anemia and elevated liver transaminase levels- |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
particularly gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. |\ |\
A 63-year-old man presents to the emergency department with
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complaints of anxiety. He describes a long history of daily heavy |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
alcohol use and 2 days ago "quit cold turkey." He appears visibly
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tremulous, flushed, and diaphoretic. His temperature, blood |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
pressure, and pulse rate are elevated. The results of his physical
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examination are otherwise unremarkable, but his laboratory tests |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
demonstrate low serum albumin and low protein levels, as well
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as an elevated prothrombin time/partial prothrombin time value.
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He is admitted to the medical service for alcohol detoxification.
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Which of the following medications would be most appropriate in
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,treating this patient? |\ |\
A. Alprazolam
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B. Chlordiazepoxide
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C. Diazepam
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D. Lorazepam
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E. Clonazepam
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The correct answer is D.
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Explanation: Although all these medications are benzodiazepines, |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
only lorazepam is metabolized solely by glucuronidation, which is
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not as dependent on liver functioning. The metabolism of the
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other benzodiazepines is much more dependent on liver function.
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In this patient (who has evidence of poor liver function), using
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high doses of medications that are dependent on liver function
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for their degradation could result in excessive drug levels in the
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blood of an overly sedated patient.
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Delirium tremens onset |\ |\
A. Immediately
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B. 6 to 8 hours
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C. 8 to 12 hours
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D. 12 to 24 hours
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E. 24 to 72 hours
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The correct answer is E.
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Explanation: Withdrawal symptoms usually, but not always, occur |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
in stages: tremulousness or jitteriness (6-8 hours), psychosis and
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perceptual symptoms (8-12 hours), seizures (12-24 hours), and
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DTs (24-72 hours, up to 1 week).
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Hallucinations with intact orientation onset |\ |\ |\ |\
A. Immediately
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B. 6 to 8 hours
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C. 8 to 12 hours
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D. 12 to 24 hours
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E. 24 to 72 hours
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, The correct answer is C.
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Explanation: Withdrawal symptoms usually, but not always, occur
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in stages: tremulousness or jitteriness (6-8 hours), psychosis and
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perceptual symptoms (8-12 hours), seizures (12-24 hours), and
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DTs (24-72 hours, up to 1 week). Of note, alcoholic hallucinosis
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occurs earlier than hallucinations associated with delirium
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tremens, and are not usually associated with a clouded
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sensorium or abnormal vital signs. |\ |\ |\ |\
Withdrawal seizures onset |\ |\
A. Immediately
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B. 6 to 8 hours
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C. 8 to 12 hours
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D. 12 to 24 hours
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E. 24 to 72 hours
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The correct answer is D.
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Explanation: Withdrawal symptoms usually, but not always, occur
|\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
in stages: tremulousness or jitteriness (6-8 hours), psychosis and
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perceptual symptoms (8-12 hours), seizures (12-24 hours), and
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DTs (24-72 hours, up to 1 week).
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Tremulousness onset |\
A. Immediately
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B. 6 to 8 hours
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C. 8 to 12 hours
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D. 12 to 24 hours
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E. 24 to 72 hours
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The correct answer is B.
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Explanation: Withdrawal symptoms usually, but not always, occur
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in stages: tremulousness or jitteriness (6-8 hours), psychosis and
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perceptual symptoms (8-12 hours), seizures (12-24 hours), and
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DTs (24-72 hours, up to 1 week).
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Hallucinations with delirium onset |\ |\ |\
A. Immediately
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