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| Definition: | Tests to evaluate the type (and roughly measure the amount) of legal and illegal drugs taken by a person.
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| Alternative Names: | Barbiturates - screen; Benzodiazepines - screen; Amphetamines - screen; Analgesics - screen; Antidepressants - screen; Narcotics - screen; Methanol - screen; Phenothiazines - screen; Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) - screen; Drug abuse screen; Blood alcohol test
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| How the test is performed: | Toxicology screening is most often performed on blood or urine (the specimens of choice) but can be performed on gastric contents (vomit or lavage fluids) if performed soon after the substance is ingested. Nails or hair can be tested for arsenic and mercury.
Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
Urine sampling can be a random sample (you are asked to urinate into a container). In some circumstances, you may need to obtain the urine sample in the presence of the nurse or technician (to verify that the urine sample came from you and was not tampered with -- see special consideration).
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| How to prepare for the test: | There is no special preparation; this test is often performed as an emergency test. Inform the health care provider of any prescription and over-the-counter medications you have taken, including the amount and time of ingestion.
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| How the test will feel: | When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
If a urine sample is used, it involves only normal urination and there is no discomfort.
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| Why the test is performed: | This test can be used to evaluate possible accidental or intentional overdose or poisoning, such as when there is a need to evaluate the type and amount of legal and illegal drugs used by a person. The test can be performed to determine the cause of acute drug toxicity, to monitor drug dependency, and to determine the presence of substances in the body (for medical and/or legal purposes). See also: Drug abuse first aid.
If the test is used as a drug screen there is a finite amount of time after ingestion that the drug or any of its metabolites can be detected:- cocaine
- 2 to 4 days; up to 10 to 22 days with heavy use
- amphetamines
- heroin
- morphine
- phencyclidine (PCP)
- alcohol
- benzodiazepines
- up to 6 weeks with high level use
- hydromorphone
- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- 6 to 11 weeks with heavy use
- propoxyphene
- methadone
- codeine
- barbiturates
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Review Date: 2/17/2002
Reviewed By: Michael C. Milone, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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