Emergency Cases Northwest Group

003 A Mad, Blind, Red-hot Parched Rabbit?

Situation

An elderly lady had CHB. Atropine caused delirium, urinary retention.

Background

A 79 year old lady arrived by ambulance having collapsed at home. Her HR was 30 bpm, but she was alert, comfortable and normotensive. Paramedics had given a total of 3 mg of Atropine pre-hospital. Shortly after arrival she became very agitated, confused. Her face became red, she started licking her lips and asked for water. She later developed urinary retention.

Assessment

Her deterioration wasn’t from the CHB but rather from the anticholinergic side effects of Atropine.

Recommendation

If atropine has been used on a patient be cognisant of the possible side effects:

Mad as a hatter (Altered Mental Status)

Blind as a bat (mydraisis)

Red as a beet (flushed skin)

Hot as a hare (anhydrosis)

Dry as a bone (dehydration)



PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PATIENT IDENTIFIABLE DATA OR GEO-LOCATION DATA IN THE SUBMISSION OR IN ANY ATTACHED IMAGES

Emergency Cases Northwest Group