DRE Drug Categories & Effects 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which drug category is characterized by pupil dilation, elevated pulse rate, and elevated blood pressure but a normal body temperature?
- Cannabis
- CNS Stimulants
- Hallucinogens (Correct answer)
- Inhalants
Correct answer: Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens typically cause dilated pupils, elevated pulse, and elevated blood pressure while body temperature remains near normal.
Question 2: A DRE observes a subject with droopy eyelids, slow and slurred speech, and a pulse rate of 52 bpm. Which drug category best fits this profile?
- CNS Depressants (Correct answer)
- Cannabis
- Dissociative Anesthetics
- Narcotic Analgesics
Correct answer: CNS Depressants
CNS Depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, etc.) cause sedation, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, and decreased pulse rate.
Question 3: PCP (phencyclidine) belongs to which of the seven DRE drug categories?
- Hallucinogens
- CNS Stimulants
- Dissociative Anesthetics (Correct answer)
- Inhalants
Correct answer: Dissociative Anesthetics
PCP is the prototypical Dissociative Anesthetic, producing analgesia, disorientation, and characteristic nystagmus on all gaze planes.
Question 4: Which drug category most commonly produces a distinctive odor on the subject's breath or clothing detectable during a DRE evaluation?
- Narcotic Analgesics
- Inhalants (Correct answer)
- Cannabis
- Hallucinogens
Correct answer: Inhalants
Inhalants (solvents, aerosols, nitrous oxide) leave a chemical odor on the breath and clothing that is a key indicator during evaluation.
Question 5: A subject exhibits muscle rigidity, elevated body temperature of 103°F, and profuse sweating. Which drug category should the DRE most strongly consider?
- Cannabis
- CNS Depressants
- CNS Stimulants (Correct answer)
- Narcotic Analgesics
Correct answer: CNS Stimulants
CNS Stimulants (methamphetamine, cocaine) frequently cause hyperthermia, diaphoresis, and increased muscle tension.
Question 6: Which of the following vital-sign findings would most strongly suggest Narcotic Analgesic influence rather than CNS Depressant influence?
- Decreased blood pressure
- Constricted (miotic) pupils (Correct answer)
- Slow pulse rate
- Slurred speech
Correct answer: Constricted (miotic) pupils
Markedly constricted (pinpoint) pupils are a hallmark of opioid/narcotic analgesic use and help distinguish this category from CNS Depressants.
Question 7: Ketamine is best classified under which DRE drug category?
- CNS Depressants
- Hallucinogens
- Dissociative Anesthetics (Correct answer)
- Narcotic Analgesics
Correct answer: Dissociative Anesthetics
Ketamine, like PCP, is a Dissociative Anesthetic that produces analgesia, amnesia, and a dissociative state.
DRE Drug Categories & Effects 2
Which drug category is characterized by pupil dilation, elevated pulse rate, and elevated blood pressure but a normal body temperature?