In stimulant acute intoxication, which finding can occur as part of a sympathomimetic crisis?

In stimulant acute intoxication, which finding can occur as part of a sympathomimetic crisis?

• A. Decreased heart rate
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Hypothermia
• D. Impending CV collapse

Answer: (D)

In stimulant acute intoxication, the body’s sympathetic nervous system can go into overdrive, driving up heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. This intense arousal can strain the cardiovascular system, and in severe cases the patient can tip toward cardiovascular collapse due to ongoing tachycardia, hypertension, and potential coronary could-be ischemia or arrhythmias. Impending cardiovascular collapse captures this dangerous progression where the heart and circulation are at imminent risk of failing. The other patterns don’t fit the typical crisis: a slowed heart rate would not reflect sympathetic overdrive; low blood sugar isn’t a hallmark because catecholamines usually raise glucose; and cooling (hypothermia) is opposite of the hypermetabolic state expected with stimulant intoxication.

In stimulant acute intoxication, the body’s sympathetic nervous system can go into overdrive, driving up heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. This intense arousal can strain the cardiovascular system, and in severe cases the patient can tip toward cardiovascular collapse due to ongoing tachycardia, hypertension, and potential coronary could-be ischemia or arrhythmias. Impending cardiovascular collapse captures this dangerous progression where the heart and circulation are at imminent risk of failing.

The other patterns don’t fit the typical crisis: a slowed heart rate would not reflect sympathetic overdrive; low blood sugar isn’t a hallmark because catecholamines usually raise glucose; and cooling (hypothermia) is opposite of the hypermetabolic state expected with stimulant intoxication.