Fixed schedule vs. Symptom-triggered therapy of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Pharmacy and Therapeutics, PSYCHIATRY

Symptom-triggered therapy: Benzodiazepines are given only when the patient has symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. No symptoms, no medication. Patients are given the treatment they need, only when they need it. Fixed schedule therapy: Benzodiazepine is given at fixed...

Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)

PSYCHIATRY

The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) ranks agitation and possibility for sedation. Use the Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) instead of CIWA-Ar in alcohol withdrawal patients who cannot talk, e.g. patients who are intubated in the ICU. Shoot for a score...

Banana bag: What’s in it?

PSYCHIATRY

The banana bag is popular in hospitals and is used in patients with alcohol withdrawal and sometimes for patients with prolonged vomiting. A banana bag contains: Thiamine 100 mg, Folic acid 1mg, Multivitamin, Isotonic saline (Normal Saline 1,000 mL) +/- 5 percent...

Complications of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Withdrawal

HealthCare, PSYCHIATRY

When treating a patient with alcohol abuse, it’s wise to evaluate and treat the patient for complications of both alcohol abuse and alcohol withdrawal. Complications of Alcohol Withdrawal Minor withdrawal symptoms (6-48 hours after last drink. start about 6 hrs...

Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA-Ar) for Alcohol Withdrawal

NEUROLOGY, PSYCHIATRY

CIWA-Ar objectifies alcohol withdrawal severity to help guide therapy. It assigns points to each of the 10 criteria. Points are added to get a total score that indicates the degree of withdrawal. Score Withdrawal Level ≤8 Absent or minimal withdrawal 9-15 Mild...

Bipolar and related disorders

PSYCHIATRY

Bipolar I disorder Bipolar II disorder Cyclothymic disorder Substance/Medication-induced Bipolar and related disorder Bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition Other specified bipolar and related disorder -Short-duration hypomanic episodes (2-3...