Pentobarbital Toxicity after Self-Administration of Euthasol Veterinary Euthanasia Medication

Suicide attempt via sodium pentobarbital is uncommon. A 48-year-old woman with a history of depression and prior suicide attempt was found unresponsive by her veterinarian spouse near a syringe containing pink solution. Upon EMS’ arrival, the patient was experiencing apnea, hypoxemia, and miotic pupils; her blood glucose level measured 73 mg/dL. She was bradycardic and administered atropine with transient improvement in heart rate and transported to an emergency department; 2 mg of intravenous naloxone was administered without effect. She was endotracheally intubated via rapid sequence intubation. Rapid urine drug screening detected both benzodiazepines and barbiturates. The patient was transferred to an intensive care unit where she demonstrated a nearly absent radial pulse. Emergent fasciotomy to the left forearm and carpal tunnel was performed for acute compartment syndrome; “Euthasol” had been self-administered into the antecubital fossa. Expanded toxicological analysis via liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy detected caffeine, atropine, 7-aminoclonazepam, phenytoin, citalopram, and naproxen. The patient’s coma resolved over 48 hours and she was successfully extubated without complication. Emergency physicians must closely monitor patients exposed to veterinary euthanasia agents who develop central nervous system and respiratory depression, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, or skin injury. Consultation with a regional poison center and medical toxicologist is recommended.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en estudiantes de enfermería de una Universidad privada de Barranquilla 2010-2011

Objetivos: Determinar los conocimientos actitudes y prácticas relacionados con el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en estudiantes de enfermería de una universidad privada del distrito de Barranquilla. Metodología: información obtenida directamente de la aplicación de la encuesta de 37 preguntas la cual fue diseñada por un médico toxicólogo, docente del área de farmacología de la División de Salud de la Universidad del Norte a los estudiantes de los distintos semestres para un total de 198. Este proceso se llevó a cabo en tres momentos: la socialización del estudio a los estudiantes y docentes de cada acompañantes; aplicación encuesta y por último, análisis y procesamiento de los resultados. Resultados: de los 198 estudiantes, menos del 70% de ellos considera que las sustancias mencionadas son drogas, a pesar que el total de ellas son consideradas como tal. Más del 80% de las estudiantes conoce que las drogas producen efectos perjudiciales para la salud, a excepción de la benzodiacepina, orlasteina y LSD cuyos conocimientos son muy escasos. En general (mas del 88%), de los estudiantes rechazan todo tipo de intencion de legalizar la produccion, trafico o consumo de Sustancias Psicoactivas (SPA), y apoyan todo esfuerzo del gobierno en erradicarlas y establecer programas que frenen su consumo. Del total de los estudiantes, aproximadamente un 97% de ellos no han hecho uso de sustancias psicoactivas, a excepción del alcohol y de la nicotina. Conclusiones: Este estudio revela el importante papel que desempeñan los programas y escuelas de enfermería frente a la problemática de consumo de SPA, en la medida, en que los semestres son más complejos se observa un notable cambio de actitud y un nivel de conocimientos superior. La tarea de la educación en SPA es vital para concertar acciones interinstitucionales, interdisciplinares e intersectoriales para hacer promoción, prevención, tratamiento, rehabilitación y reinserción social de sujetos vulnerables y consumidores de sustancias psicoactivas en nuestra región.Abstract Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to the use of psychoactive drugs in nursing students from a private university district of Barranquilla. Method: Information obtained directly from the application of the survey of 37 questions which was designed by a medical toxicologist , professor of pharmacology area of the Health Division of the Universidad del Norte to students of different semesters for a total of 198. This process took place in three stages: the socialization of study students and teachers of each escort, survey implementation and finally, analysis and processing of the results. Results: Of the 198 students, less than 70% of them feel that the above substances are drugs, although the total of them considered as such. Over 80% of the students know that drugs produce adverse health effects, except for benzodiazepine, and LSD Orlasteina whose skills are scarce. In general (over 88%), our students reject all kinds of intention to legalize the production, trafficking or consumption of Psychoactive Substances (PSS), and support all efforts to eradicate government and establish programs to curb consumption. Of all students, about 97% of them have not made use of psychoactive substances, with the exception of alcohol and nicotine. Conclusion: This study reveals the important role of nursing programs and schools face the problem of consumption of PSS, as the semesters are more complex there is a remarkable change of attitude and a higher level of knowledge. The task of education is vital to arrange PSS agency actions, interdisciplinary and intersectorial for promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of vulnerable subjects and consumers of psychoactive substances in our region.Palabras claves: Actitudes, Conocimientos, Drogas, Educación, Enfermería, Practicas, Prevención, Sustancias Psicoactivas.