Consider the following case: “A 19-year-old woman is brough…
Consider the following case: “A 19-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her family for fever, confusion, and twitching movements in her legs. The patient is on prescription Nardil® (phenelzine) for depression. On arrival, a nurse obtains vital signs: temperature 103.1° F, heart rate 120 beats/minute, blood pressure 135/90 mmHg, respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute. After being admitted to the hospital, the patient continues to be agitated and confused. She is placed in physical restraints to prevent her from injuring herself or falling out of bed. The physician caring for her gives her intravenous Demerol® (meperidine/pethidine) to treat her agitation.” Please answer all of the questions providing as much information as possible: What kind of medications are phenelzine and meperidine? Provide as much information as possible about the mechanism of actions. Are there any potential drug interactions between phenelzine and meperidine/pethidine? Based on her vital signs and home medication, what potential conditions should be considered? Should this patient be put into physical restraints? Why or why not? What medication should be given to treat this patient’s agitation and confusion?
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