Question

Patient overdose with mental status changes, seizures, cardiac conduction delay, and anticholinergic toxicity? Prognostic factor/indication for treatment/Tx?

a) Prognostic factor: Serum potassium level; Tx: Physostigmine
b) Prognostic factor: Serum bicarbonate level; Tx: Flumazenil
c) Prognostic factor: Serum calcium level; Tx: Naloxone
d) Prognostic factor: Serum sodium level; Tx: N-acetylcysteine

Answer 1

The patient likely overdosed on anticholinergic drugs, and the prognosis can be determined using the serum potassium level. Physostigmine is used as the treatment for anticholinergic overdose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's symptoms of mental status changes, seizures, cardiac conduction delay, and anticholinergic toxicity suggest an overdose with anticholinergic drugs. These drugs inhibit the function of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, causing a buildup of acetylcholine in the body. The prognostic factor that can help determine the severity and outcome of the overdose is the serum potassium level. Treatment for anticholinergic overdose involves the use of physostigmine, which is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.