D.M.'s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) result is 0.06 mg. Interpret this result. Does this level ...

The answer to question 1  A BAC of 0.06 causes mildly impaired judgment in most people, causing them to be less able
to make rational decisions. They are not able to judge their capabilities normally (e.g., driving, or
deciding to play touch football with an injured ankle). A BAC of 0.1 is considered legal intoxication
in most states (some states consider a BAC of 0.8 to indicate legal intoxication).

The answer to question 2   Elevate, ice, immobilize, and assess the ankle and foot.
 Raise the side rails, instruct him not to climb out of bed, and provide a call light.
 Obtain VS and assess neurologic status (assess his level of alcohol-related impairment).
 Ask D.M. how much beer he has ingested, how long ago, how many pain pills he took, and when he
took them.
 Inform the physician of D.M.'s recent visit to the ED, prescribed medication, and current problem.
 An alcohol intake history should be obtained and a blood alcohol level drawn.

The answer to question 3   Take this medication with food (at mealtimes or with crackers and a glass of milk).
 Do not combine this drug with other medications or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without first
checking with a pharmacist. Lortab should never be taken with alcohol. He should not drive or
operate heavy machinery after taking the medication.
 Patients with a history of heavy alcohol consumption should be warned against using medications
containing acetaminophen.
 Lortab contains hydrocodone, which is constipating. The patient needs to increase fiber and liquid
intake. If this is not effective, he might need to take a stool softener, such as docusate (Colace), or
laxatives, such as milk of magnesia or senna laxatives (Senokot). In addition, he should increase his
fluid intake to six to eight glasses a day.
 Lortab contains acetaminophen 500 mg. Patients should be cautioned not to take more than 3 g in
24 hours of acetaminophen (maximum of six Lortab 2.5/500 per day).

The answer to question 4  Lortab is a combination of hydrocodone (an opioid analgesic) and acetaminophen (a nonopioid
analgesic). The numbers refer to the amount of each drug per tablet. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg of
hydrocodone and 500 mg of acetaminophen.

The answer to question 5   Do not bear weight on the affected ankle for 48 hours. Use crutches for walking.
 Keep the affected ankle elevated on pillows (above the heart) as much as possible for 48 hours.
 Apply an ice bag to the ankle for 20 minutes out of every hour while awake for the first 24 to 48
hours.

The answer to question 6  b
Three-point gait requires the patient to bear all weight on one foot and is useful for patients with
a broken leg or sprained ankle. The weight is born on the unaffected leg and then on both crutches.
No weight is placed on the affected leg.

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