Code 3
Forum Captain
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It is my understanding that marijuana is an opiate and therefore classified as a depressant. I was taught that depressants have some of the following effects on the Parasympathetic Nervous System:
However, I was also taught in an upper division psychology course that marijuana will cause dryness of the mouth and throat. Is there any explanation for the contradiction?
Also, I recently came in contact with a patient who claimed to have consumed (2) beers and smoked marijuana. Here's the Hx:
Called for a syncopal episode where patient slumped against wall and was lowered to the floor by a friend. Patient presented with the following V/S:
Patient complained of being lightheaded/dizzy with minor SOB. He has a medical history of syncopy as well. When I was assessing the patient's eyes, the room was dark and the only light was a blacklight. I could already tell his pupils were blown and when I used a flashlight his eyes did not respond. He told me he could barely see the light when I moved it across his eyes. About 2-3 minutes later, I checked his eyes agan and they were completely normal in size and PERL. What would cause this patient to have fixed and dilated eyes? If marijuana is a depressant, wouldn't his eyes have been constricted instead of dilated?
- Pupils constrict
- Saliva secretions increase
- Bronchioles constrict
- Heart rate decreases
- Gastric juice secretions increase
- Most blood vessels dilate
However, I was also taught in an upper division psychology course that marijuana will cause dryness of the mouth and throat. Is there any explanation for the contradiction?
Also, I recently came in contact with a patient who claimed to have consumed (2) beers and smoked marijuana. Here's the Hx:
Called for a syncopal episode where patient slumped against wall and was lowered to the floor by a friend. Patient presented with the following V/S:
- HR: 115 strong/regular @ radial site
- BP: 108/P
- Resp: 18 full/effective
- Eyes: Dilated @ 7mm (fixed/unresponsive)
- LOC: A/O x 4
- Lungs: Clear bilaterally
- Skins: Pale, cool, diaphoretic
Patient complained of being lightheaded/dizzy with minor SOB. He has a medical history of syncopy as well. When I was assessing the patient's eyes, the room was dark and the only light was a blacklight. I could already tell his pupils were blown and when I used a flashlight his eyes did not respond. He told me he could barely see the light when I moved it across his eyes. About 2-3 minutes later, I checked his eyes agan and they were completely normal in size and PERL. What would cause this patient to have fixed and dilated eyes? If marijuana is a depressant, wouldn't his eyes have been constricted instead of dilated?
