Which protocol should guide the nurse responsible for ...

[ap345]

Which protocol should guide the nurse responsible for administering pharmacologic interventions for a client who is withdrawing from alcohol? Medication should be administered:
 
  1. Based on the presence of withdrawal symptoms
  2. At prescribed intervals for at least one month
  3. For the initial 24 hours of hospitalization only
  4. Only to treat grand mal seizures accompanying withdrawal

Question 2

A client recently discharged from an alcohol rehabilitation program is brought to the hospital in a state of prostration with severe throbbing headache, tachycardia, a beet-red face, dyspnea, and continuous vomiting.
 
  The client's significant other states the client got sick about 15 minutes after drinking a glass of wine. The nurse should be guided in assessment by the suspicion that the client:
  1. Has alcohol intoxication
  2. Is having a stroke
  3. Is reacting to disulfiram (Antabuse)
  4. Is exhibiting symptoms of cross dependence

[billybob123]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 1
Pharmacological intervention is not always needed for alcohol withdrawal. Medication should be given if there are symptoms, not for a month (option 2), only the first 24 hours (option 3) or only to treat grand mal seizures (option 4).

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 3
The alcohol deterrent drug, Antabuse, causes a flush reaction; therefore option 3 is correct. Al-cohol intoxication (option 1), stroke (option 2) and cross dependence (option 4) do not present with the listed prostration symptoms.