CASE STUDY

A rapid response unit (RRU) and ambulance were dispatched to a young adult reported to be fitting at the site of a “rave”. On arrival, the patient was being treated by a medical team who were providing cover at the event and the RRU paramedic. The patient was reported to have taken eight ecstasy tablets and had been fitting for approximately 10 min, but this had been terminated with 10 mg diazepam (Diazemuls) given intravenously. He had also been given 800 μg naloxone and 50 ml 0.9% normal saline had also been administered. Observations were as follows:

1. Airway – managed with head tilt chin lift.

2. Respiration rate 55 breaths/min with 100% oxygen saturation on high concentration oxygen.

3. Heart rate 144 bpm and blood pressure 80/20 mm Hg.

4. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 3 with pupil size 6 mm and non-reactive.

5. Temperature 40.1°C and blood glucose 5.1 mmol.

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