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17 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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List 3 things that indicate a patient may have an alcohol dependancy? *for it to be a dependancy they have to have 3 of the behaviours for more than 1 month or repeatedly for a year* |
Behaviours which indicate alcohol dependancy: Cravings/Compulsions to drink Difficulty controlling use Increased tolerance to alcohol Physiological withdrawal on reduction/cessation Persistence of drinking despite the harmful consequences
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What are the symptoms that can occur if a patient is withdrawing from an alcohol dependancy? |
Alcohol withdrawal can cause: Tremors Weakness Nausea Vomiting Anxiety Confusion Seizures Agitation Death - cardiovascularcollapse, infection, hyperthermia or self injury |
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What mental health problems can alcohol dependancy commonly cause? |
Depression Anxiety Sleep disturbance Morbid jealousy Self harm |
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What is the name of the encephalopathy commonly caused by excessive alcohol intake? |
Excessive alcohol intake can cause Wernicke's Encephalopathy (just like Tony) Symptoms include: Confusion, ataxia, nystagmus |
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A deficiency in what chemical caused by excessive alcohol intake is the cause of Korsakoff's Psychosis? What are the symptoms of Korsakoff's psychosis? |
A deficiency in Thiamine is caused by alcohol damage which causes poor hepatic function and poor absorption of Thiamine. *TREATED WITH THIAMINE* Symptoms of Korsakoff's psychosis include: Impairment of short term memory Impaired learning and orientation Nystagmus and ataxia (however immediate recall and cognitive function is retained) |
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Name 4 relationship difficulties that commonly occur in patients who have alcohol dependancy? |
Agression to loved ones - verbal/physical Marital difficulties - caused by morbid jealousy Poor parenting/neglect of children Loss of friendship and social supports |
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Name 2 screening tools used to assess if a patient has an alcohol "problem" |
CAGE & FAST |
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What are the 4 questions asked as part of the CAGE screening tool used to assess if a patient has an alcohol problem or not? |
2 or more YES and patient likely has problem: Have you tried to Cut down? Have you ever felt Annoyed at people critising your drinking? Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? Have you ever felt the need for an Eye-openet? |
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What is the non-pharmacological treatment available to a patient with an alcohol problem? |
Management approach: Support for patient and family Psychological help (CBT, Group therapy) Social work input Skills training Community support Inpatient treatment |
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What are the pharmacological treatments available to a patient who has Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a result alcohol dependancy problem? |
Wenicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a result of Thiamine deficiency and so is treated with THIAMINE. |
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What medication is used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal? |
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat the anxiety and adjitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. + Thiamine |
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What medication is used to prevent the craving which is felt in patients who have an alcohol problem? |
Anti-craving medication: Baclofen Naltrexone Nalmefene |
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What percentage of chronic alcohol abusers have malnutrition? |
60% of chronic alcohol abusers have malnutrition. i.e. over half will be malnutritioned |
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What are the distinguishing features between Karskoff's and Wernickes Thiamine deficiencies? |
Often with a Thiamine deficiency - Wernickes signs present first and then Karskoff's. The difference between the two is that Wernickes presents with confusion but no memory loss. arskoff's causes impairment of short term memory and inability to make new memories. They both present with ataxia and nystagmus! |
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What are the common cancers linked to excessive alcohol intake? |
Excessive alcohol intake is linked with Osophageal cancer, mouth cancer and liver cancer. |
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What are the recommended units per week for men and women? |
14 units per week |
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How many units are in half a pint of beer, 125ml of wine or one 35ml shot of vodka? |
1 unit So could have 7 pints of beer per week and that would be within the recommended 14 units. |
