You are admitting a client to the hospital. His family reports ...

[karlynnae]

You are admitting a client to the hospital. His family reports that he has been a heavy drinker for a number of years. He had his last drink about 12 hours ago.
 
  If this client goes into alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens), when would you anticipate the onset of symptoms such as psychomotor agitation and auditory hallucinations? a. at any time now
  b. 12 hours after admission
  c. 3 days after last drink
  d. only if he develops a fever

Question 2

A 48-year-old woman is admitted to a psychiatric unit after trying to shoot herself in the head. Her husband reports that she had seemed despondent since their youngest child left for college 4 months ago.
 
  Which should be a nurse's priority intervention for this client?
  A) Administration of prescribed sedation
  B) Initiation of suicide observation
  C) Review of the treatment plan
  D) Orientation to the unit

[SVictor]

Answer to Question 1

B
The nurse would anticipate that symptoms of delirium tremens would begin 12 hours after admission. Delirium tremens (DTs) occur 24 to 72 hours after the last drink. Symptoms of DTs include disorientation, delusions, hallucinations (most often visual but can be tactile), delirium, severe agitation, fever, perspiration, tachycardia, and seizures (either petit mal or grand mal).

Answer to Question 2

B