A 50-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with agitation, confusion, sweating and tremor 6 hours after abruptly stopping heavy alcohol ...

Question

A 50-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with agitation, confusion, sweating and tremor 6 hours after abruptly stopping heavy alcohol consumption. She drinks 20 standard drinks daily. Vital signs show blood pressure 160/95 mm Hg and heart rate 110/min. What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment?

Accepted Answer

Long-acting benzodiazepine such as diazepam, titrated using a symptom-triggered protocol

Answer

Antipsychotic monotherapy

Answer

IV beta-blocker

Answer

Thiamine alone

Answer

Haloperidol and physical restraints only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Alcohol withdrawal