Dry, hot, dilated pupils are typical of which toxidrome?

Prepare for the CIEMT Medical and Physiology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that feature explanations. Ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Dry, hot, dilated pupils are typical of which toxidrome?

Explanation:
Anticholinergic toxidrome. Blocking muscarinic receptors cuts parasympathetic activity, so you get dry skin and mucous membranes (no sweating), hyperthermia from impaired heat dissipation, and mydriasis (dilated pupils). Other signs often include tachycardia and delirium. In contrast, cholinergic toxicity would cause sweating and pinpoint pupils; opioid toxidrome causes miosis and respiratory depression; sympathomimetic toxicity can cause dilated pupils and hyperthermia but usually with sweaty skin, not dry.

Anticholinergic toxidrome. Blocking muscarinic receptors cuts parasympathetic activity, so you get dry skin and mucous membranes (no sweating), hyperthermia from impaired heat dissipation, and mydriasis (dilated pupils). Other signs often include tachycardia and delirium. In contrast, cholinergic toxicity would cause sweating and pinpoint pupils; opioid toxidrome causes miosis and respiratory depression; sympathomimetic toxicity can cause dilated pupils and hyperthermia but usually with sweaty skin, not dry.

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