Transcript Depressants
Unit 10 Toxicology
Students will develop an understanding of the adverse
effects of drugs and be acquainted with the laboratory
investigation of the most common poisonings.
Vocabulary
Cardiovascular
system
Heart
Artery
Capillary
Arteriole
Venuole
Vein
Lungs
Kidney
Bladder
Urethra
Ureter
BAC
Acetaldehyde
Gas
Chromatography
Breath test
Stimulant
Depressant
Narcotic
5 drug schedules
Poison
Toxicity
Toxin
Bacterial toxins
Obj. 1 Circulatory System
1.The cardiovascular system, sometimes known as a part of
the circulatory system, is composed of the heart and a
closed system of blood vessels through which blood is
circulated.
2. The primary function is circulation. Critical transportation
needs include the movement of oxygen and carbon
dioxide, heat, nutrients, hormones, waste products,
enzymes, electrolytes, and other substances on a
continuing basis.
Obj. 1 Circulatory System
Heart: Pumps blood throughout the body.
Arteries: A blood vessel which transports blood away from
the heart.
Capillaries: A small vessel which carries blood from the
arterioles to the venuoles. It is the site nutrients and
wastes are exchanged between the blood and the body
cells.
Veins: A blood vessel which transports blood towards the
heart.
All of the veins except the pulmonary veins transport
deoxygenated blood.
Obj. 1 Respiratory System
Brings oxygenated air to the alveoli within the lungs
and removes air containing carbon dioxide through
the process of exhalation.
1. Lungs: Large spongy structures each found within
their own pleural cavity within the thoracic cavity.
Obj. 1 Urinary System
Regulate the composition and volume of the blood by removing and restore
selected amounts of water and solutes. Excretes water, nitrogenous wastes
from protein catabolism, inorganic salts, and assists in eliminating heat and
carbon dioxide.
1. Kidneys: A pair of organs that are kidney bean shaped structures
found against the posterior abdominal wall behind the peritoneum. The
kidneys contain the functional units, the nephrons, which actually filter the
blood and form urine.
2. Bladder: A sac-like structure found in the pelvic cavity. Connected to the
ureters and the urethra. The function is to hold urine until urination occurs.
3. Urethra: A small tube (approximately 2 inches in females and 8 inches in
males) that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Obj. 2 MEASURING ALCOHOL IN THE
BLOODSTREAM
A. Blood alcohol content (BAC)
1. Measures the amount of ethyl alcohol in blood.
a. Expressed as a percent of weight per volume.
b. The legal limit is 0.08% (which means that 0.08 grams of
pure alcohol is present for every 100 ml of blood in the
body).
c. Blood needs to be preserved with an anticoagulant and
sodium fluoride. It must also be kept cold until analyzed by
gas chromatography.
Obj. 2 MEASURING ALCOHOL IN THE
BLOODSTREAM
B. Gas Chromatography
Separates and analyzes compounds that can be
vaporized- like alcohol.
C. Breath Test
1. According to Henry’s law the concentration of alcohol
in the breath is proportional to that in the blood.
2. There are two types of breath tests.
Obj. 2 MEASURING ALCOHOL IN THE
BLOODSTREAM
a. Infrared (IR) Spectrophotometry
(1). Narrow beam of IR light is passed through a breath
sample chamber. The IR light is absorbed by the alcohol.
The relationship between the concentration and light
absorption determines the alcohol content.
b. Electrochemical Fuel Cell Technology
(1). Breaks down the oxygen in the alcohol and creates a
charge which causes an imbalance in electricity as it
crosses over a conductor medium.
Poisons:
A substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed, injected
into, or developed within the body in relatively small amounts,
will cause damage to structures of the body and impair or
destroy their function.
Any substance that impairs health or destroys life when
ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the body in relatively small
amounts. Some toxicologists suggest that, depending on the
dose, all substances are poisons.
Clinically all poisons are divided into those that respond to
specific treatments or antidotes and those for which there is no
specific treatment. Maintaining respiration and circulation is the
most important aspect of treatment.
Obj. 3 FIVE schedules OF DRUG
TYPES
DEA calls the different categories “schedules”
1. Schedule I – Substances that have no accepted medical use in
the U.S.
a. High abuse potential
b. Are not prescribed
2. Schedule II – Substances that have a high abuse potential with
severe psychic or physical dependence.
a. Consists of certain narcotics, stimulants and depressant drugs.
b. Prescription must be written in ink or typewritten and signed
by the practitioner.
c. No renewals.
Obj. 3 FIVE schedules OF DRUG
TYPES
3. Schedule III – Substances that have an abuse
potential less that those in Schedule I and II.
a. Consists of limited quantities and certain narcotics
and non-narcotic drugs.
b. Prescriptions may be oral or written.
c. Up to 5 renewals are permitted within 6 months.
Obj. 3 FIVE schedules OF DRUG
TYPES
4. Schedule IV- Substances that have an abuse
potential less than those in Schedule III.
a. Consists of limited quantities and certain narcotics
and non-narcotic drugs.
b. Prescriptions may be oral or written.
c. Up to 5 renewals are permitted within 6 months.
Obj. 3 FIVE schedules OF DRUG
TYPES
5. Schedule V- Substances that have an abuse
potential less than those in Schedule IV.
Consists of preparations containing limited quantities of
a certain narcotic drug generally for anti diarrheal
purposes.
Subject to state and local regulations and a prescription
may not be required.
Obj. 3 CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
1. Stimulants – Act on the CNS to make the user feel
better and increase energy and alertness while
suppressing appetite and fatigue.
Causes restlessness, anxiety, and depression.
Examples: caffeine, amphetamines,
methamphetamines, and cocaine.
Obj. 3 CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
2. Narcotics- Analgesics that act on the CNS to relieve
pain.
a. Examples: Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin, Morphine, Heroin,
Codeine, Darvon, and Percocet.
3. Depressants- Act on the CNS to slow response and
feelings.
a. Examples: Alcohol, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines
(Valium).
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Hallucinogens
Drug
Symptoms
MDMA (ecstasy)
heart rate and blood pressure
increase, muscle cramps, anxiety,
panic attacks, seizures,
unconsciousness, stroke, kidney
failure, death
Mescaline
hallucinations, euphoria, dizziness,
vomiting, increased heart rate,
dilated pupils, diarrhea, headaches,
anxiety, irrationality of thoughts
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Hallucinogens
Drug
Symptoms
LSD
dilated pupils, loss of appetite,
sleeplessness, increase in body
temperature, increased heart rate
and blood pressure, sweating, dry
mouth, tremors, confusion,
distortions of reality, and
hallucinations
PCP
increased heart rate and blood
pressure, convulsions, sweating,
dizziness, numbness, and possible
death from heart failure,
drowsiness, psychosis that can last
for weeks.
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Narcotics
Drug
Symptoms
Opium
difficulty breathing, low blood
pressure, weakness, dizziness,
confusion, loss of consciousness,
coma, cold & clammy skin,
constricted pupils
Heroin, Codeine, Morphine
difficulty breathing, low blood
pressure, coma, spasms of the
stomach or intestines, constipation,
nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, blue
fingernails and lips, death
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Narcotics
Drug
Symptoms
Methadone
difficulty breathing, drowsiness,
coma, low blood pressure, muscle
twitches, blue fingernails and lips
Oxycodone
slow, difficult breathing, seizures,
dizziness, weakness, loss of
consciousness, coma, confusion,
tiredness, cold clammy skin,
constricted pupils
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Stimulants
Drug
Symptoms
Amphetamines
high blood pressure, rapid heart
rate, agitation, irregular heartbeats,
stroke, seizures, coma, death
Cocaine, Crack
dangerous rise in body temperature,
sweating, tremors, seizures,
irregular heartbeats, stroke,
confusion, heart attack, bleeding in
the brain, death
Methamphetamines
dangerous rise in body temperature,
rapid breathing, increased heart
rate, dilated pupils, high blood
pressure, kidney failure, bleeding in
the brain, death
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Anabolic Steroids
Effects: acne, increased body hair, baldness, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, impaired fertility in
males, blood clotting, kidney and liver cancers, heart
attacks
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Depressants
Effects: slow heart rate, drowsiness, slowed brain
activity, slurred speech, loss of coordination, slow
breathing, coma, death
Obj. 4 Overdose symptoms:
Bacterial Toxins
Toxin
Symptoms
Botulism
most poisonous biological
substance known to humans. It is a
neurotoxin, paralyzing muscles.
Damage is irreversible. Painful
spasms before death. “Botox” is a
purified form of Clostridium
botulinum.
Tetanus
can cause muscle spasms so severe
they can tear muscles and break
bones. It is sometimes called
“lockjaw” because spasms often
begin in the jaw. Responsible for
about 1 million deaths per year
Obj. 4 Overdose/Exposure:
Heavy metals & pesticides
Drug
Symptoms
Pesticides
interferes with the movement of
nerve impulses and muscular
contractions, anxiety, seizures,
twitching, rapid heartbeat, muscle
weakness, sweating, salivation,
diarrhea, tearing, coma, death
Lead
nausea, abdominal pain, insomnia,
headache, weight loss, constipation,
anemia, kidney problem, vomiting,
seizure, coma, death, blue
discoloration along the gumline in
the mouth.
Obj. 4 Overdose/Exposure:
Heavy metals & pesticides
Drug
Symptoms
Mercury
“Mad-hatter’s disease”, inhalation
causes flu0like symptoms. Chronic
poisoning causes irritability,
personality changes, headache,
memory and balance problems,
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
excessive salivation, damage to
gums, mouth , teeth, death.
Arsenic
(within 30 minutes of ingestion)
abdominal pain, severe nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea, dryness of
the throat, difficulty speaking,
muscle cramps, convulsions, kidney
Obj. 4 Overdose/Exposure:
Heavy metals & pesticides
Drug
Symptoms
Cyanide
can be fatal 6-8 minutes after
ingestion, weakness, confusion,
coma, pink skin from high blood
oxygen saturation, almond-like
odor.
Strychnine
body spasms, temperature rises,
violent convulsions, rigor mortis
occurs within minutes after death.
Obj. 5 Bioterrorism Chemical Agents
RICIN: made from castor beans,
lethal in minute doses (head of a pin)
Method of contact
symptoms
Inhalation
within eight hours of
exposure, difficulty
breathing, within a few
hours, fever, cough, nausea,
sweating, tightness in the
chest, low blood pressure,
excess fluid in the lungs,
death.
Ingestion
within six hours, vomiting,
diarrhea, bloody urine,
dehydration, low blood
pressure, hallucinations,
seizures, death.
Skin & eye exposure
Redness & pain
Obj. 5 Bioterrorism Chemical Agents
ANTHRAX: from Bacillus anthracis
Method of contact
Symptoms
Inhalation
initially produces flu-like
symptoms, like sore throat,
cough, fever, muscle aches.
Progressively worsens to
include breathing problems
and usually results in death.
Ingestion
nausea, vomiting, fever,
abdominal pain, severe
diarrhea. Fatal in 25-60% of
cases.
Skin absorption
raised, itchy bumps that
resemble an insect bite
develop into a painless sore
with a black area in the
center. About 20% of
untreated cases result in
death.
OTC Drug Abuse
One of the greatest difficulties with preventing OTC
drug use is that few teens and adults realize the
danger. Unlike the risks associated with illegal street
drugs like cocaine and heroin, the risks associated
with OTC drug abuse are given little thought and
attention. Teens and young adults who learn about
the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to
abuse drugs.
Obj. 6 COLLECT AND PRESERVE
DRUG EVIDENCE
A. Packaging evidence
1. Handle evidence as little as possible.
2. Use appropriate size containers and an inner
packaging like zipper bags and sample bottles.
3. Place exhibit number, initials, date and seal on the
inner and outer packaging. Place date and initials on
seal as well.
4. Use tamper resistant tape as the seal.
Obj. 6 COLLECT AND PRESERVE
DRUG EVIDENCE
B. Collection of evidence
1. Plant substances (marijuana, mushrooms, )
a. Plant must be dried thoroughly.
b. Do not include the roots and dirt.
c. Leaves and stems are stripped from large stalks.
d. Packaged in paper bags and boxes to allow for
continued drying.
e. Large amounts of evidence collected should be subdivided into thirty pounds or less.
Obj. 6 COLLECT AND PRESERVE
DRUG EVIDENCE
2. Liquids
a. All liquids are placed in sturdy plastic or glass bottles
and are sealed with a plastic lid. Metal cannot be used
to seal bottles.
Label bottles clearly.
Prop bottles upright and place in plastic zipper evidence
bags.
Obj. 6 BIOHAZARD EVIDENCE
3. Biohazard evidence (syringes, body fluids, razors,
broken glass)
a. Use Universal Bloodborne Pathogen Precautions and
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
b. Leave all liquid contents in syringe.
c. Place syringes in approved safety containers.
d. Mark all layers of packaging with biohazard labels.
e. Package in a puncture resistance packaging.