At a meeting for family members of alcoholics, a spouse says, I ...

[saraeharris]

At a meeting for family members of alcoholics, a spouse says, I did everything I could to help. I even requested sick leave when my partner was too drunk to go to work. The nurse assesses these comments as:
 
  a. codependence.
  b. assertiveness.
  c. role reversal.
  d. homeostasis.

Question 2

In the emergency department, a patient's vital signs are BP 66/40 mm Hg; pulse 140 beats/min; respirations 8 breaths/min and shallow.
 
  The nursing diagnosis is Ineffective breathing pattern related to depression of respiratory center secondary to narcotic intoxication. Select the priority outcome.
 
  a. The patient will demonstrate effective coping skills and identify community resources for treatment of substance abuse within 1 week of hospitalization.
  b. Within 4 hours, vital signs will stabilize, with BP above 90/60 mm Hg, pulse less than 100 beats/min, and respirations at or above 12 breaths/min.
  c. The patient will correctly describe a plan for home care and achieving a drug-free state before release from the emergency department.
  d. Within 6 hours, the patient's breath sounds will be clear bilaterally and throughout lung fields.

[Ptupou85]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Codependence refers to participating in behaviors that maintain the addiction or allow it to continue without holding the user accountable for his or her actions. The other options are not supported by information given in the scenario. See relationship to audience response question.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The correct short-term outcome is the only one that relates to the patient's physical condition. It is expected that vital signs will return to normal when the CNS depression is alleviated. The patient's respirations are slow and shallow, but there is no evidence of congestion.