Depressant drugs such as barbiturates will affect patient consciousness when taken in large doses. The severity of the intoxication can be graded based on the physical findings.
Status
Reflexes
Cardiopulmonary Depression
Grade
asleep but arousable, can sit and communicate
intact
none
0
unarousable to talk, withdraws from painful stimuli
• grading should be done only after an adequate airway has been established
• monitoring of reflexes usually involves the tendon reflexes; Reed et al found that the pupillary and corneal reflexes can be misleading
Interpretation:
• Intoxications of grades 3 and 4 are serious.
• Most patients with pure depressant intoxication will survive provided they get medical care soon enough and the care is appropriate.
• The patient's condition can become complicated if multiple agents have been taken, if serious trauma has occurred, or if concurrent disease is present.
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