Street Drug Contaminants (Toxicology Segment)

This interview segment provides relevant information for nurses necessary to help assess and address patients under the influence of street drugs. Find more of these toxicology segments for nursing students in the members' area.

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From Episode 114 of the Nursing Show

Tip of The Week- Street Drug Contaminants with Lisa Booze of Maryland Poison Center

Nurses see patients coming in from drug abuse from time to time. Through nursing assessment and knowledge on common substances abused, nurses can tell what the patient may have taken. However, what most health care providers do not know is that street drugs are not always pure. Other substances are added to these street drugs to extend their effects, dilute the drug or for whatever reason the dealer may have.

Specific chemicals or medications added to the drugs are difficult to identify even by the user because it may or may not change the appearance or the taste. If patients are exhibiting signs and symptoms that do not correspond with the reported drug that was used, it is advisable to contact the local poison center  so they could help identify the added substance and provide measures to reverse the effects of the drug.

DrugScope on How Pure are Street Drugs?

Office of National Drug Control Policy: Street Terms

Commonly Abused Drugs by National Institute of Drug Abuse

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Street Drug Contaminants MP3 Review (click to play or use download link below)

(To download file, right click the link above and select “save as”)

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