14th August 2024

A 19-year-old male student is brought to the Emergency Department by friends from his student accommodation

A 19-year-old male student is brought to the Emergency Department by friends from his student accommodation. He has been increasingly drowsy over the course of the day and had been noted to be slightly confused en route to the hospital when roused.

His observations in triage are: heart rate 132 bpm, blood pressure 101/52 mmHg, respiratory rate 14/minute, SpO2 99%. An ECG demonstrates sinus tachycardia.

Further collateral history from friends reveals no focal complaints except headache, no recent travel, and no unwell contacts. They do, however, note that other people in their house have been complaining of severe headaches.

On examination, his GCS is 11 (E3V3M5). No other focal abnormality is noted.

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