Author Question: A client is admitted to a nursing unit in acute alcoholic withdrawal. Which nursing diagnosis is the ... (Read 59 times)

ssal · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client is admitted to a nursing unit in acute alcoholic withdrawal. Which nursing diagnosis is the highest priority early in this admission?

a. Risk for injury related to disorientation and seizure activity
b. Disturbed thought processes due to symptoms of withdrawal
c. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements due to poor intake
d. Acute constipation related to effects of poor nutrition and decreased activity

Question 2

A client enters the emergency department complaining of acute lower right quadrant abdominal pain. It is determined that the client has appendicitis and is scheduled to go to the operating room immediately.

The nurse notes on the database that the client generally drinks 10 to 12 beers a day, although he did not drink in the past 4 days because of the pain. The nurse would expect that the:
a. client's surgery would be canceled because of the threat of a withdrawal reaction.
b. client's surgery would proceed with no change in the plan of care.
c. client would require a greater level of anesthesia as a result of cross-tolerance.
d. client would need less anesthesia because of the circulating blood alcohol.

jharrington11 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Risk for injury is the priority because of the safety needs of this client.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Alcohol interacts with many commonly prescribed or over-the-counter medications. Potentiation and cross-tolerance with other CNS depressants also may occur.