Unrecognized pregnancy in the overdosed or poisoned patient.
A 22-year-old woman was found in bed unresponsive and hypotensive after an apparent overdose. Subsequent workup in the emergency department identified a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and extensive hemoperitoneum. A significant delay occurred when emergency physicians excluded the possibility of pregnancy because of the patient's normal menstrual history. A qualitative serum or urine pregnancy test is recommended in all women of child-bearing age who present with poisoning or drug overdose.
Jones
J S
JS
Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Dickson
K
K
Carlson
S
S
D000328:Adult; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis*