What signs are typical of depressant use?

• A. Vitals drop
• B. ALOC
• C. Pupils normal
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Depressant use typically slows the central nervous system, so you’ll often see signs that reflect diminished brain activity and slowed body functions. Vital signs can drop because these agents blunt cardiac and respiratory drive, leading to lower heart rate and blood pressure and slower breathing. The patient may also present with altered levels of consciousness—from drowsiness to confusion or unconsciousness—due to the overall dampened brain activity.

Pupil size varies with the specific depressant. Some depressants, particularly opioids, can cause pinpoint pupils, while others may leave pupils normal or only mildly reactive. Because not all depressants produce dramatic pupil changes, a normal pupil size is a plausible finding in many cases of depressant use.

So you can see low vitals, altered mental status, and even normal pupils among the signs; taken together, they cover the range of presentations you might encounter in depressant use.