Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Many other conditions can cause signs and symptoms similar to drug or alcohol use. Head injury, stroke, low blood sugar, poisoning, or other illness must be assessed and ruled out. Follow first aid for general psychiatric and behaviour emergencies. If you suspect the patient is an intravenous drug user, use gloves and follow precautions and personal protection guidelines (See Chapter 1, Introduction to First Aid). As with a poison, try to determine what the substance was, how much the patient took, and how it was taken and when. Perform a complete secondary survey. Even if the patients behaviour is drug or alcohol related, they may have sustained an injury they are not aware of.

First aid Drug and Alcohol Intoxication Follow first aid for general psychiatric and behaviour emergencies. If you suspect the patient is an intravenous drug user, use gloves and follow precautions and personal protection guidelines (See Chapter 1, Introduction to First Aid). As with a poison, try and determine what the substance was, how much the patient took, and how it was taken and when. Perform a complete secondary survey. Even if the patient’s behaviour is drug or alcohol related, they may have sustained an injury they are not aware of.

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