A college student is brought unresponsive to the emergency department by friends, who say that their friend drank more than half of a large bottle of whiskey 3 hours ago. Assessment reveals a blood alcohol level of 0.32%
The vital signs are BP, 88/32 mm Hg; R, 6/min; T, 96.8° F; and P,76/min and weak and thready. The nurse should prepare the patient for which intervention?
a. IV fluids and stimulants
b. Charcoal administration
c. Gastric lavage and dialysis
d. Naloxone (Narcan) administration
ANS: C
The average rate at which a person can metabolize alcohol is about 15 mL (0.5 ounce) per hour. The patient in this scenario has consumed more than half of a large bottle of whiskey within 3 hours. Alcohol can be removed from the body by gastric lavage and dialysis. Gastric lavage "washes out" most of the alcohol if any is left in the gut, and dialysis is implemented to reduce the chance of renal failure and cardiovascular shock. Although intravenous fluids may be appropriate, stimulants are contraindicated for this patient. Charcoal is not indicated in this situation. Naloxone is indicated in opiate overdoses, not alcohol overdoses.
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