Critical Care
The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care publishes articles directed to those who treat patients in the ICU, CCU and SICU including chest physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, pharmacists/pharmacologists, anesthesiologists, critical care nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Manuscripts may be either basic or clinical original investigations or review articles. Potential authors of review articles are encouraged to contact the editors before submission, however, unsolicited review articles will be considered.
April 2019 Critical Care Case of the Month: A Severe Drinking Problem
Francisco J. Marquez II MD
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Banner University Medical Center/University of Arizona – Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ USA
History of Present Illness
A 55-year-old Caucasian man, presented to an outside hospital with altered mental status.
Past Medical/Social History
- Severe alcohol and intermittent fentanyl abuse
- Homelessness
Physical Exam
- Hypothermic and hypertensive.
- Patient encephalopathic without any acute deficits
- Pupils are normal sized and react to light
Which of the following should be obtained or done in his initial evaluation? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of six pages)
Cite as: Marquez FJ II. April 2019 critical care case of the month: A severe drinking problem. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2019;18(4):67-73. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc003-19 PDF
July 2018 Critical Care Case of the Month
Stephanie Fountain, MD
Banner University Medical Center Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ USA
History of Present Illness
A 45-year-old man was brought to the Emergency Room by his mother complaining of weakness, dizziness, and trouble swallowing. He was also incontinent of stool and looked “sunburned”.
Past Medical History
He has a past medical history of:
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Polysubstance abuse
- Crohn’s disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
Medications
- Prazosin
- Venlafaxine
- Risperidone
- Buspirone
- Oxcarbazepine
- Gabapentin
- Hydroxyzine
- Lithium
- KCL
- Metformin
- Atorvastatin
- Adalimumab
- Mesalamine
- Prednisone
- Ferrous sulfate
Physical Examination
- Vitals: 80 kg / 97.3 degrees / 101 bpm / 100% 28RR / BP 111/72
- The patient was toxic appearing and flushed.
- Oriented to self only, very lethargic
- Dry mucous membranes
- Lungs clear to auscultation and percussion
- Heart tachycardic but no murmurs
- Abdomen without organomegaly, masses or tenderness
- Extremities without edema
Which of the following should be done at this time? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of six pages)
Cite as: Fountain S. July 2018 critical care case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(1):7-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc085-18 PDF