100 Cases in Acute Medicine

A 19-year-old student is admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in her room. She had failed her end-of-year exams and was found with paracetamol and codeine phosphate packets nearby, as well as an empty bottle of wine on her bedside table. This case is presented in 100 Cases in Acute Medicine, a book that discusses common acute conditions seen by medical students and junior doctors. The book provides a summary of the patient's history, examination, and initial investigations, followed by questions on diagnosis and management. It aims to teach students and junior doctors to recognize clinical symptoms and signs and develop their diagnostic and management skills.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A 19-year-old student is admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in her room in the university halls of residence. Her roommate informed the paramedics that the patient had recently failed her end-of-year exams. According to reports, she was found with several packets of paracetamol and codeine phosphate nearby, along with an empty bottle of wine on her bedside table.

You are the medic on duty, and you have been called to the emergency room to assess the patient. As you enter the room, you notice the patient lying on the bed, unresponsive and not breathing. You quickly perform a primary assessment, checking for vital signs and noting any obvious signs of trauma or injury.

Based on your assessment, you suspect that the patient has overdosed on medication. You immediately call for emergency medical assistance and request the administration of naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. While waiting for the medical team to arrive, you continue to monitor the patient's vital signs and administer oxygen as needed.

Once the medical team arrives, they take over the patient's care and administer additional medication to treat the overdose. The patient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit for several days, and her condition gradually improves.

In the aftermath of the incident, you conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the overdose. You interview the patient's roommate, who reveals that the patient had been struggling with stress and anxiety related to her exams. You also review the patient's medical history, which reveals that she had a history of depression and had been prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.

Based on your findings, you recommend that the patient be referred to a mental health specialist for further evaluation and treatment. You also work with the university's health and wellness services to provide support and resources to students who may be struggling with academic pressure and mental health issues.

In conclusion, this case highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug overdose and taking immediate action to prevent harm. It also emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of the potential risk factors for drug overdose, such as mental health issues and academic pressure. By providing comprehensive care and support to patients, healthcare professionals can help prevent drug overdose and promote the health and well-being of their patients.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 174 x 243 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032148014
Edition number: 2 ed