Asked by Haven Voorhees on May 02, 2024
Verified
Police bring a patient to the emergency department after an automobile accident. The patient demonstrates poor coordination and slurred speech but the vital signs are normal. The blood alcohol level is 300 mg/dL (0.30 g/dL) . Considering the relationship between the assessment findings and blood alcohol level, which conclusion is most probable? The patient
A) rarely drinks alcohol.
B) has a high tolerance to alcohol.
C) has been treated with disulfiram (Antabuse) .
D) has ingested both alcohol and sedative drugs recently.
Blood Alcohol Level
The concentration of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, often measured to determine intoxication levels.
High Tolerance
The capacity to endure a high level of a substance, stimulus, or stress without adverse reaction.
- Elucidate the principle of tolerance within the context of substance use disorders.
Verified Answer
JP
Jewel PerryMay 05, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
A nontolerant drinker would have sleepiness and significant changes in vital signs with a blood alcohol level of 300 mg/dL (0.30 g/dL). The fact that the patient is moving and talking shows a discrepancy between blood alcohol level and expected behavior and strongly indicates that the patient's body is tolerant. If disulfiram and alcohol are ingested together, an entirely different clinical picture would result. The blood alcohol level gives no information about ingestion of other drugs.
Learning Objectives
- Elucidate the principle of tolerance within the context of substance use disorders.