From the Research
The medical term for a patient who has insufflated an unknown substance is "intranasal insufflation of an unidentified substance." This documentation is crucial in a patient's medical record when the specific substance cannot be identified, and healthcare providers may also use terms like "nasal insufflation of unknown substance" or note that the patient has "insufflated an unspecified drug" 1. When documenting this finding, medical professionals should include any available information about the circumstances, timing, and any symptoms the patient is experiencing, as this terminology is important for accurate medical documentation and helps guide appropriate treatment, given that different substances can cause varying effects and require specific interventions 2. The route of administration is clinically significant because intranasal drug use has particular absorption characteristics and potential complications, including damage to nasal mucosa, epistaxis (nosebleeds), and increased risk of certain infections compared to other administration routes 3. Key considerations in managing such cases include the potential for opioid-induced respiratory depression, which may require reversal with naloxone or other strategies, highlighting the importance of prompt and accurate documentation and treatment 4. Some of the provided evidence, such as the studies on naloxone and opioid-induced respiratory depression 5, 2, 3, 4, while relevant to the broader context of substance use and overdose, does not directly inform the specific medical terminology for a patient who has insufflated an unknown substance. However, understanding the implications of intranasal substance use, including the potential for severe respiratory depression, underscores the critical need for precise documentation and timely intervention to mitigate morbidity, mortality, and impact on quality of life.