alcohol test by EMT

The only time I’ve ever cared about a breathalyzer was a patient who responded appropriately to questions, AAOx4, denied need for EMS, no obvious signs of drug use, but had witnessed, severe, sudden onset of ataxia and could barely walk, despite protesting that he was fine. Pt mildly smelled of ETOH and stated that he drank one beer with a meal.

I went with “Rule out cerebellar stroke”, but I would have liked to rule out ETOH to form a better clinical picture.
 
Back
Top