Your patient is an 18-year-old female college student who is supine in bed and responsive only to painful stimuli. Her roommate states that they went to a party last night. She says the patient only drank soda, but now she thinks a guy who had been following them around might have put something in the patient's drink. Physical examination reveals cool, dry skin and pupils sluggish to light bilaterally. HR = 72, BP = 112/64, RR = 10, SaO₂ = 98%. Which of the following drugs was most likely slipped into her drink?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest a central nervous system depressant drug, such as a benzodiazepine like Flunitrazepam, also known as "roofies." The cool, dry skin and sluggish pupils are consistent with CNS depression, and the low respiratory rate is concerning for respiratory failure. LSD would cause hallucinations and altered mental status, but would not likely cause such profound CNS depression. Amphetamines would cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, as well as hyperthermia, all of which are not seen in this patient. Opium would also cause CNS depression but is less likely to be readily available in a party setting.

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