Stimulants

Assessment findings

Interventions

Cardiovascular

• Ensure patent airway.
• Establish IV access and initiate fluid replacement as appropriate.
• Obtain a 12-lead ECG and initiate ECG monitoring.
• Treat ventricular dysrhythmias as appropriate with lidocaine, bretylium (Bretylol), or procainamide (Pronestyl).
• Hypertension and chest pain may require administration of nitroprusside (Nipride) or phentolamine (Regitine).
• Aspirin may be administered to lower the risk of myocardial infarction.
• Administer IV diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) for seizures.
• Administer IV antipsychotic drugs for psychosis and hallucinations.
• Monitor vital signs and level of consciousness.
• Initiate cooling measures for hyperthermia.

• Palpitations
• Tachycardia
• Increased BP
• Dysrhythmias
• Myocardial ischemia or infarction

Central Nervous System

• Feeling of impending doom
• Euphoria
• Agitation
• Combativeness
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Fever