Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following would be an expected pupil response to a narcotic overdose?
A
Constricted pupils (miosis)
B
Rapidly fluctuating pupil size
C
Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
D
No change in pupil size
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the physiological effects of narcotics on the body, particularly their impact on the parasympathetic nervous system. Narcotics, such as opioids, typically stimulate the parasympathetic system, which can lead to pupil constriction (miosis).
Review the term 'miosis,' which refers to the constriction of the pupils. This is a common response to narcotic overdose due to the drug's effect on the brainstem and the oculomotor nerve.
Eliminate the incorrect options by analyzing the physiological responses: 'Dilated pupils (mydriasis)' is associated with sympathetic nervous system activation, not narcotics. 'Rapidly fluctuating pupil size' and 'No change in pupil size' are not typical responses to narcotic overdose.
Focus on the correct answer, 'Constricted pupils (miosis),' as it aligns with the known effects of narcotics on the parasympathetic nervous system.
Conclude that the expected pupil response to a narcotic overdose is constricted pupils (miosis), based on the drug's mechanism of action and its influence on the nervous system.