Author Question: A patient is brought to the emergency department. He is restless, has dilated pupils, is sweating, ... (Read 83 times)

Zulu123 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient is brought to the emergency department. He is restless, has dilated pupils, is sweating, has a runny nose and tearing eyes, and complains of muscle and joint pains. His girlfriend thinks he has influenza, but she became concerned

when his temperature went up to 39.4 C. She admits that he has been a heavy drug user, but he has been trying to stop on his own. The nurse suspects that the patient is experiencing withdrawal symptoms from which substance?
a.
Alcohol
b.
Heroin
c.
Crack cocaine
d.
Sedatives

Question 2

The nurse has completed an assessment on a patient who came to the clinic for a leg injury. As a result of the assessment, the nurse has determined that the patient has at-risk alcohol use. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate at this time?

a. Record the results of the assessment, and notify the physician on call.
b. State, You are drinking more than is medically safe. I strongly recommend that you quit drinking, and I'm willing to help you.
c. State, It appears that you may have a drinking problem. Here is the telephone number of our local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter.
d. Give the patient information about a local rehabilitation clinic.

kishoreddi · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Withdrawal symptoms of opiates, such as heroin, are similar to the clinical picture of influenza and include symptoms such as dilated pupils, lacrimation, runny nose, tachycardia, fever, restlessness, muscle and joint pains, and other symptoms.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
If an assessment has determined that the patient has at-risk drinking behavior, then the nurse should give a short but clear statement of assistance and concern. Simply giving out a telephone number or referral to agencies may not be enough.