Toxicology: Physical Exam Video

Video at a Glance

• When a patient has a suspected overdose, clinicians perform the physical exam after doing their initial evaluation and patient history.
• First, clinicians must take a full set of vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Increased or decreased values may suggest the presence of opioids or psychostimulants.
• Next, check the patient’s neurological system, scanning for evidence of seizures, paranoia, or hypervigilance. If the patient is unresponsive, evaluate their mental status using the Glasgow Coma Scale.
• Third, check the patient’s pupil size and reactivity, potential jaw clenching, and signs of trauma on their head or scalp.
• Next, perform the respiratory assessment, listening for breath sounds, depth, rate, and pattern. Also, check for crackles.
• Fifth, evaluate the patient’s cardiovascular system. -Sixth, evaluate the GI system, listening for hyper or hypomotility.
• Lastly, check the patient’s skin for rashes, needle marks, bruises, or anything else potentially suggestive of the drug type and route of administration.