Substance abuse is found unresponsive by emergency medical services (EMS)
Scenerio :A 27-year-old patient with a history of substance abuse is found unresponsive by emergency medical services (EMS) after being called by the patient’s roommate. The roommate states that he does not know how long the patient had been lying there. The patient received naloxone in the field and has become responsive. He complains of burning pain over his left hip and forearm. Evaluation in the ED revealed a large amount of necrotic tissue over the greater trochanter as well as the forearm. EKG demonstrated prolonged PR interval and peaked T waves. Serum potassium level 6.9 mEq/L.
The role genetics plays in disease.
Substance abuse has a complex etiology which is influenced by many things. Genetic factors can play a large role in an individual’s susceptibility to substance abuse in several ways. Certain genetic variations may increase the risk of developing substance use disorders. These genetic factors can influence the brain’s reward pathways, making some individuals more susceptible to the reinforcing effects of drugs. For example, “Genes that code for cytochrome enzymes in the liver (CYP variants) can influence how quickly an individual metabolizes a drug, which influences how they respond to medications and other substances” (Mosel,2023). Variations in drug metabolism enzymes can influence the intensity and duration of the drug’s effects. Therefore, a person with a genetic predisposition for slower metabolism of a particular substance may experience more prolonged and intense effects, potentially increasing the risk of substance abuse.
Why the patient is presenting with the specific symptoms described.
Sample Answer
The patient is presenting with several symptoms that are consistent with substance abuse and its complications. These include:
- Unresponsiveness: This is a common symptom of overdose, which occurs when a person takes too much of a substance and their body is unable to function normally. In this case, the patient was found unresponsive by EMS, suggesting that he had overdosed on a substance.
- Burning pain: This is a symptom of tissue damage. In this case, the patient has burning pain over his left hip and forearm, which are likely due to tissue damage caused by prolonged injection of drugs.