6: Managing intoxication and over dose

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6: Managing Intoxication and Overdose
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6: Managing Intoxication Objectives

1. During the session, nurses & midwives will become more aware of the principles of management of alcohol & other drug intoxication & overdose
2. By the end of the session nurses & midwives will know the signs & symptoms of alcohol & other drug intoxication & overdose

6: Managing Intoxication

Intoxication occurs when a person s intake of a substance exceeds their tolerance & produces behavioural &/or physical changes
Nurses & midwives must be able to correctly manage intoxication because it complicates assessment & management of patients, even when the intoxication is not life-threatening

6: General principles of managing intoxication

Maintenance of airways and breathing is of paramount importance to the comatose patient
Any patient presenting as incoherent, disoriented or drowsy should be treated as per head injury until proven otherwise
Intoxicated patients must be kept under observation until their intoxication diminishes
A thorough physical and mental status examination will reveal the level of a patient s intoxication to provide baseline information