emDocs - August 30, 2017 - Authors: Bennett J and Fairbrother H
Edited by: Koyfman A and Long B
"Take Home Points
- Keep a broad differential in mind for any patient with AMS, even if the patient smells like alcohol and intoxication seems likely
- Check a POC blood glucose level on arrival
- Undress patients suspected of alcohol intoxication and fully examine
- Re-assess every 1-2 hours. If your patient doesn’t improve as expected, reexamine and broaden the differential
- Don’t ignore abnormal vitals
- Get a head CT if you see or suspect head trauma in the intoxicated patient
- Consider checking an alcohol level if you’re unsure. If negative, investigate further. However, remember that a positive EtOH level does not preclude other problems also being present and should not be falsely reassuring."