Dr.Bosnak’s
DRUG DETECTIVES
Dead Patient in the Ward
Episode 01
You encounter an unexpected death during your hospital internship. A young patient has died suddenly in one of the hospital rooms. You should follow clues to find the cause of death. However, this death is not ordinary, and the truth will be revealed through carefully gathered clues.
Room 213 on the first floor of the hospital witnesses the sudden death of a young and healthy patient. The patient had recently undergone an appendectomy and seemed to be in good condition, yet unexpectedly passed away.
In the patient's room, by the bedside, there is a medication bottle that held the last drug the patient took. The bottle contains residues of 'Metamizol Sodium (Novalgin),' a painkiller. The remaining amount of medication is significantly less than expected, suggesting the patient may have taken a higher dose than prescribed. The placement of the medication bottle by the bedside and the reduced quantity indicate recent usage of the drug, likely shortly before the patient's death.
An old, faulty pen was found on the nurse's desk, which may have caused some of the notes to be unclear. This could lead you to believe that the nurse may have recorded the patient's medication dosage incorrectly, suggesting they received a different dose than prescribed. It might also make you think the patient received their medication at unusual times. Be careful when interpreting these notes, as they could mislead you about the patient's actual treatment.
An old note on the nurse's desk indicates the patient had previously been in a car accident. It might suggest that the patient was experiencing ongoing pain or stress from the accident, potentially influencing their medication needs or their body's response to drugs. Additionally, the note could imply that the patient's recent health issues were linked to the car accident, diverting your attention away from other possible causes of their condition.
"On the nurse's desk, there is a note recording the dosage and timing of the patient's last medication. The note indicates that the patient's last dose was 2000 mg and that it was taken at 09:00 AM. The unusually high dose and its recent administration raise concerns about potential medical error or intentional misuse of the medication. This points to a possible overdose of Metamizol Sodium as a key factor in the patient's death.
Notes on the patient's sleep patterns indicate they had a habit of working at night, which could suggest their irregular sleep schedule may have affected their overall health. This might lead you to think the patient could have taken their medications at unconventional times due to their nighttime routine, possibly affecting how their body processed the drugs. You might also suspect that their disrupted sleep could have caused additional stress or worsened existing health conditions.
Several files from other hospital patients are found in the patient's room. This might lead you to think the patient was looking into other patients' medical histories for personal reasons, such as self-diagnosis or comparing their symptoms with others. You could suspect that the patient was investigating alternative treatments by examining other patients' medication plans or treatments, which may have influenced their decision to take different medications or doses.
The patient's blood test results reveal an unexpectedly high concentration of 'Metamizol Sodium,' indicating the patient may have ingested an excessive dosage.
The elevated levels of Metamizol Sodium in the blood strongly suggest that the patient consumed a much higher dose than prescribed or the recent administration of the excessive dose.
The patient's urine test results show high levels of creatinine and low urine output.
Which of the following can cause the patient's death?
A. The patient overdosed on a combination of sedatives and antidepressants.
B. The patient had an allergic reaction to a low dose of a new medication.
C. The patient experienced toxic effects from a low dose of a medication used to treat cholesterol.
D. The patient experienced adverse effects from a medication interaction with a recent antibiotic course.
E. The patient passed away due to a severe reaction to an herbal supplement combined with prescription drugs.
F. The patient experienced complications from an unexpected side effect of a medication used to treat high blood pressure.
G. The patient took an unusually high dose of prescribed antibiotics, leading to organ failure.
H. The patient suffered from an accidental overdose of a different painkiller, Ibuprofen.
I. The patient overdosed on the prescribed painkiller, Metamizol Sodium.
J. The patient had a severe adverse reaction to an over-the-counter cold medicine taken in large quantities.
