DSSSB 13 August 2024
Pharmacology
Medium
Which of the following intakes is usually associated with "Flashback phenomenon"?
Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024
Explanation
- The 'flashback phenomenon', or Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), is the re-experiencing of perceptual disturbances from a previous intoxication, even after the substance use has stopped.
- This phenomenon is classically associated with hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD and mescaline.
- Among the given options, Cannabis is the only substance with known hallucinogenic properties that can induce or trigger these flashback episodes.
- Studies show that flashbacks can be triggered by the use of other psychoactive substances, including marijuana (cannabis).
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Opium is an opioid analgesic and a central nervous system depressant. Its primary effects include sedation, euphoria, and respiratory depression, not perceptual disturbances like flashbacks.
- Option C: Nicotine is a stimulant. Its effects include increased alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure. It does not cause hallucinations or flashbacks.
- Option D: Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Its effects include disinhibition, impaired judgment, and motor incoordination. It is not a primary cause of flashbacks, although heavy intoxication can lead to hallucinations in withdrawal (delirium tremens), which is a different phenomenon.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacological Effects of Psychoactive Substances as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Recognizing substance-specific symptoms like flashbacks is vital for nurses to perform accurate assessments, differentiate between acute intoxication and persisting disorders, and provide appropriate psychoeducation and support.
- A thorough substance use history is crucial, as flashbacks can be triggered by one substance (e.g., cannabis) but originate from a past experience with a different hallucinogen (e.g., LSD).
- What if? If a patient presents with flashbacks but denies classic hallucinogen use, the nurse should specifically inquire about high-potency cannabis use. It's also important to rule out other neurological conditions like seizures or migraines that can mimic these perceptual symptoms.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'Flashback phenomenon'.
- Recall the major classes of psychoactive substances and their characteristic effects (stimulants, depressants, opioids, hallucinogens).
- Associate the term 'flashback' with the hallucinogen class of drugs, which cause perceptual distortions.
- Evaluate the given options: Opium is an opioid, Nicotine is a stimulant, and Alcohol is a depressant.
- Recognize that Cannabis, while having its own class (cannabinoid), possesses hallucinogenic properties, making it the most plausible cause of flashbacks among the choices.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Pharmacological Effects of Psychoactive Substances
- Stem keywords: Flashback phenomenon, intake
- Lead-in keywords: usually associated with
Question ID
Qh9VLzsOhsQVzITrqchRfq
Reference Book
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1032-1034
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3823-3825
Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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