The adolescent client is in a drug rehabilitation program. The ...

[natalie2426]

The adolescent client is in a drug rehabilitation program. The mother of this client says to the nurse, The health care provider said my son has a physical addiction to alcohol
 
  What does this mean? Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
  1. He will have feelings of depression when stopping alcohol; we need to monitor him for suicide.
  2. His body is used to alcohol; he will have specific withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped.
  3. His brain remembers the euphoria he had with alcohol, and he has a craving to return to it.
  4. He will have an intense craving for alcohol; this is best managed in group therapy.

Question 2

The client comes to the emergency department and tells the nurse, I have been off my drugs for three days. The nurse assesses the client for withdrawal symptoms associated with the category of drug used.
 
  Withdrawal from which drug, if taken by the client, should cause the nurse the most concern?
  1. Cocaine
  2. Marijuana
  3. Heroin
  4. Secobarbital

[aburgess]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Depression can accompany physical withdrawal, but physical signs are what require medical management.
Rationale 2: Over time, the body's cells become accustomed to the presence of the unnatural substance. Specific physical withdrawal symptoms will occur; the client needs to be medically withdrawn from the substance.
Rationale 3: Alcohol does produce euphoria, but a craving for the substance is not a medical issue.
Rationale 4: Psychological dependence, or craving, does not involve physical withdrawal symptoms.
Global Rationale: Over time, the body's cells become accustomed to the presence of the unnatural substance. Specific physical withdrawal symptoms will occur; the client needs to be medically withdrawn from the substance. Depression can accompany physical withdrawal, but physical signs are what require medical management. Alcohol does produce euphoria, but a craving for the substance is not a medical issue. Psychological dependence, or craving, does not involve physical withdrawal symptoms.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Withdrawal from cocaine is uncomfortable, but it is not life threatening.
Rationale 2: There is virtually no withdrawal from marijuana.
Rationale 3: Withdrawal from heroin is very unpleasant, but it is not life threatening.
Rationale 4: Secobarbital is a barbiturate. This drug, which is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, will likely lead to the most life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a client who has stopped taking it.
Global Rationale: Secobarbital is a barbiturate. This drug, which is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, will likely lead to the most life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a client who has stopped taking it. Withdrawal from cocaine is uncomfortable, but it is not life threatening. There is virtually no withdrawal from marijuana. Withdrawal from heroin is very unpleasant, but it is not life threatening.

[natalie2426]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[aburgess]

Great! Please up vote