Alcohol Toxicity

IMPORTANT: It is best to refer to your local hospital protocol for management of alcohol ingestion or call DPIC . The below resources should be used to support your learning. 

Toxic Alcohol Toxicity Management

• UpToDate provides an overview of how to manage a patient presenting with toxic alcohol poisoning.

Emergency Care BC - Methanol

• Overview of management of methanol toxicity including pathophysiology, expected presentation and treatment recommendations

Emergency Care BC - AKA

• Overview of management of alcoholic ketoacidosis including pathophysiology, expected presentation and treatment recommendations

1. Ethylene glycol is also known as:

a) Windshield washer fluid

b) Radiator antifreeze

c) Gas line antifreeze

d) Lacquer thinner 

2. A patient presents with the following signs and symptoms: osmol gap of 35, anion gap of 10 and fruity smelling breath. What is the suspected type of alcohol poisoning?

a) Methanol

b) Ethylene glycol

c) Isopropyl alcohol

d) Alcoholic ketoacidosis 

3. A patient presents with the following signs and symptoms: osmol gap of 32, anion gap of 15 and difficulty with vision. What is the suspected type of alcohol poisoning?

a) Methanol

b) Ethylene glycol

c) Isopropyl alcohol

d) Alcoholic ketoacidosis 

4. You have determined that your patient has consumed ethylene glycol. Which of the following is NOT an indication for hemodialysis?

a) Elevated serum creatinine

b) pH<7.25

c) Alcohol level >8

d) Osmol gap > 10 and history of toxic alcohol ingestion

5. What is the antidote for methanol?

a) N-acetylcysteine

b) Fomepizole

c) Methylene blue

d) Octreotide