clinical testing, but it was found to have unfortunate aftereffects. Patients coming out of
the anesthetic state experienced symptoms ranging from mild to great disorientation,
agitation, manic excitation, delirium, and hallucinations. As a result, testing of PCP on
humans was discontinued. Today, almost all PCP is made and used illegally.
b. Signs/Symptoms of Phencyclidine Abuse. Included are the following:
(1)
Sweating.
(2)
(3)
Amnesia.
(4)
Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat).
(5)
Hypertension (high blood pressure).
(6)
Hypersalivation (excessive secretion of saliva).
(7)
Fever.
(8)
Convulsions.
(9)
Coma.
c. Treatment for Phencyclidine Abuse. Included are the following:
(1)
Protect the patient. Keep him from hurting himself.
(2)
Support the patient's vital signs.
(3)
Acidify the patient's urine.
(4)
Use suction to remove the excess saliva in the patient's mouth.
Administer diazepam (Valium) for convulsions.
(5)
(6)
Schedule a psychiatric follow-up.
4-8.
INHALANTS
a. Definition/Examples. Inhalants are mood-changing substances which can
enter the body when the user breathes in substance fumes. Most inhalants are gases
at room temperature or turn into gas when exposed to air. These substances quickly
intoxicate (temporarily lessen a person's control over his physical and mental powers).
The user breathes the gaseous substance into his lungs. Since the lungs have a large
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