One hour after undergoing an uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy, a 22-year-old man develops agitation and restlessness. He also has tremors, diffuse sweating, headache, and nausea with dry heaves. One liter of lactated ringer's was administered during the surgery and he had a blood loss of approximately 100 mL. His urine output was 100 mL. His pain has been controlled with intravenous morphine. He was admitted to the hospital 3 days ago and has not eaten in 18 hours. He has no history of serious illness. He is a junior in college. His mother has Hashimoto's thyroiditis. He has experimented with intravenous illicit drugs. He drinks 3 beers and 2 glasses of whiskey daily during the week and more on the weekends with his fraternity. He appears anxious. His temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F), pulse is 120/min, respirations are 19/min, and blood pressure is 142/90 mm Hg. He is alert and fully oriented but keeps asking if his father, who is not present, can leave the room. Mucous membranes are moist and the skin is warm. Cardiac examination shows tachycardia and regular rhythm. The lungs are clear to auscultation. His abdomen has three port sites with clean and dry bandages. His hands tremble when his arms are extended with fingers spread apart. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
AAdminister intravenous lorazepam
BAdminister 5% dextrose in 1/2 normal saline
CAdminister intravenous naloxone
DAdminister intravenous propranolol
EAdminister intravenous dexamethasone
A 42-year-old homeless man is brought to the emergency room after he was found unconscious in a park. He has alcohol on his breath and is known to have a history of chronic alcoholism. A noncontrast CT scan of the head is normal. The patient is treated for acute alcohol intoxication and admitted to the hospital. The next day, the patient demands to be released. His vital signs are a pulse 120/min, a respiratory rate 22/min, and blood pressure 136/88 mm Hg. On physical examination, the patient is confused, agitated, and sweating profusely, particularly from his palms. Generalized pallor is present. What is the mechanism of action of the drug recommended to treat this patient’s most likely condition?
AIt decreases the duration of GABA-gated chloride channel opening.
BIt increases the duration of GABA-gated chloride channel opening.
CIt activates the GABA receptors by binding at the GABA binding site.
DIt decreases the frequency of GABA-gated chloride channel opening.
EIt increases the frequency of GABA-gated chloride channel opening.
A 26-year-old man with a history of alcoholism presents to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain. Serum studies show AST and ALT levels >5000 U/L. A suicide note is found in the patient's pocket. The most appropriate initial treatment for this patient has which of the following mechanisms of action?
AGlutathione substitute
BCompetitive inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase
COpioid receptor antagonist
DGABA receptor competitive antagonist
EHeavy metal chelator
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