What is a priority outcome for the patient who has chronic ...

[09madisonrousseau09]

What is a priority outcome for the patient who has chronic alcoholism with liver damage?
 
  1. The patient will switch to a safer drug, like a benzodiazepine.
  2. The patient will become involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
  3. The patient will keep all appointments with the doctor treating his liver damage.
  4. The patient will learn to drink more responsibly.

Question 2

The patient had been abusing cocaine for several years. Recently, the patient snorted cocaine that was much purer than was thought, resulting in an overdose. The patient died in the emergency department.
 
  What does the nurse recognize as the most likely cause of death?
  1. Cardiac arrest
  2. Rhabdomyolysis
  3. Impurities in the cocaine
  4. Bowel ischemia

[bbburns21]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Long-term management for alcohol abuse includes behavioral counseling and self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The priority outcome, and a principle of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is complete abstinence from mood-altering substances so the patient should not use benzodiazepines. Drinking more responsibly is not appropriate; the patient must abstain from all alcohol. Keeping all medical appointments is a good outcome, but does not address the problem of the patient's continued use of alcohol.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Overdose of cocaine can result in dysrhythmias, convulsions, stroke, or death due to cardiac and respiratory arrest. Impurities in the cocaine would not have resulted in the death of the patient. Bowel ischemia would not occur with a cocaine overdose. Rhabdomyolysis would not occur with a cocaine overdose.