1 An alcohol-dependent patient was hospitalized at 0200 today. When would the nurse expect withdrawal symptoms to peak?
a. Between 0800 and 1000 today (6 ... [Show More] to 8 hours after drinking stopped)
b. Between 0200 tomorrow and hospital day 2 (24 to 48 hours after drinking stopped)
c. About 0200 on hospital day 3 (72 hours after drinking stopped)
d. About 0200 on hospital day 4 (96 hours after drinking stopped): B
Alcohol withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after cessation or significant reduction of alcohol intake. It peaks between 24 and 48 hours, then resolves or progresses to delirium.
2. A woman in the last trimester of pregnancy drinks 8 to 12 ounces of alcohol daily. The nurse plans for the delivery of an infant who is: a. jaundiced
b. dependent on alcohol
c. healthy but underweight
d. microcephalic and cognitively impaired: D
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the result of alcohol's inhibiting fetal development in the first trimester. The fetus of a woman who drinks that much alcohol will probably have this disorder. Alcohol use during pregnancy is not likely to produce the findings listed in the distracters.
3. A patient was admitted last night with a hip fracture sustained in a fall while intoxicated. The patient points to the Buck traction and screams, "Somebody tied me up with ropes." The patient is experiencing: a. illusion
b. delusion
c. hallucinations
d. hypnagogic phenomenon: A
The patient is misinterpreting a sensory perception when seeing a noose instead of traction. Illusions are common in early withdrawal from alcohol. A delusion is a fixed, false belief. Hallucinations are sensory perceptions occurring in the absence of a stimulus. Hypnagogic phenomena are sensory disturbances that occur between waking and sleeping.
4 A patient was admitted 48 hours ago for injuries sustained while intoxicated. The patient is shaky, irritable, anxious, and diaphoretic. The pulse rate is 130 beats per minute. The patient shouts, "Bugs are crawling on my bed. I've got to get out of here." What is the most accurate assessment of the situation? The patient:
a. is attempting to obtain attention by manipulating staff.
b. may have sustained a head injury before admission.
c. has symptoms of alcohol withdrawal delirium.
d. is having a recurrence of an acute psychosis.: C
Symptoms of agitation, elevated pulse, and perceptual distortions point to alcohol withdrawal delirium, a medical emergency. The findings are inconsistent with manipulative attempts, head injury, or functional psychosis.
5. A patient admitted yesterday for injuries sustained in a fall while intoxicated believes bugs are crawling on the bed. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
a. Ineffective airway clearance
b. Ineffective coping
c. Ineffective denial
d. Risk for injury: D
The clouded sensorium, sensory perceptual distortions, and poor judgment increase the risk for injury. Safety is the nurse's priority. The scenario does not provide data to support the other diagnoses
6. A patient admitted yesterday for injuries sustained while intoxicated believes the window blinds are snakes trying to get into the room. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. Which medication can the nurse anticipate the health care provider will prescribe?
a. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as phenelzine (Nardil)
b. Phenothiazine, such as thioridazine (Mellaril)
c. Benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam (Ativan)
d. Narcotic analgesic, such as morphine: C
Sedation allows for the safe withdrawal from alcohol. Benzodiazepines are the drugs of choice in most regions because of their high therapeutic safety index and anticonvulsant properties. [Show Less]