A 68-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted to the acute care facility for reports of abdominal pain. Based on your understanding of alcohol withdrawal, the nurse knows that if patient is currently abusing alcohol, he will most likely.

develop withdrawal symptoms 48 to 72 hours after the last intake of alcohol

be prescribed oxazepam (Serax)

experience delirium tremors within 4 hours of hospitalization

receive 1 ounce of alcohol every 4 hours while awake

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically begin within 6 to 24 hours after the last drink, with peak symptoms usually occurring between 48 and 72 hours. Delirium tremens (DTs), a severe form of withdrawal, usually develops within this timeframe if not managed properly.
B.   This choice is partially correct but less specific. Oxazepam (Serax) is a benzodiazepine that can be prescribed to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms, especially in patients with liver impairment, as it is metabolized differently from other benzodiazepines. However, it is not the only medication used; lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) are also commonly used to manage withdrawal symptoms.

C.   This choice is less likely to be correct. Delirium tremens (DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and autonomic instability. DTs typically develop between 48 and 72 hours after the last drink, not within 4 hours. Symptoms that occur within 4 hours of hospitalization are more likely to be early withdrawal symptoms rather than DTs.
D.   This choice is not a standard treatment for alcohol withdrawal. While some facilities might use a tapering protocol to gradually reduce alcohol intake, in most cases, the goal is to manage withdrawal symptoms using medications rather than providing alcohol. The use of medication such as benzodiazepines is preferred to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Giving alcohol is not a standard or recommended approach for managing withdrawal in acute care settings.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Number of tablets = Desired dose (mg) / Tablet strength (mg) Plugging in the given values:

Number of tablets = 0.125 mg / 0.25 mg/tablet Number of tablets = 0.5 tablet

Therefore, the nurse should prepare 0.5 tablet of digoxin to administer to the patient.

A. 69-year-old with peripheral vascular disease who is visited by home health care weekly. B. 73-year-old with a history of chronic bronchitis who lives with family. C. 86-year-old who lost a spouse and is moving into an assisted living facility. D. 79-year-old with moderate Alzheimer disease who requires assistance with all activities of daily living (ADLs)

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) impairs blood flow to the extremities, which can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature, heal wounds, and manage cardiovascular function. Despite having regular home health care, which helps with monitoring and managing the condition, PVD still poses challenges to maintaining homeostasis.
B. Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that impairs lung function and impacts the body's ability to exchange gases efficiently. This condition can lead to chronic hypoxemia (low oxygen levels) and hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide levels), which directly affect homeostasis.
C. This individual is undergoing significant life changes, including bereavement and relocation, which can affect emotional and physiological well-being. While these stressors can impact overall health, they are less directly related to physiological processes that maintain homeostasis compared to chronic physical conditions.
D. Alzheimer’s disease leads to significant cognitive decline, which impairs the ability to perform daily activities and manage personal health. This cognitive impairment can result in a reduced ability to recognize and respond to physiological needs, which compromises homeostatic mechanisms. The need for assistance with all ADLs indicates severe functional impairment, making this patient highly vulnerable to disruptions in homeostasis due to their inability to self-manage health and daily activities effectively.

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A 68-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted to the acute care facility for reports of abdominal pain. Based on your understanding of alcohol withdrawal, the nurse knows that if patient is currently abusing alcohol, he will most likely.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient with congestive heart failure is scheduled to receive 0.125 mg of digoxin. The nurse has on hand 0.25 mg/tablet. How many tablet(s) should the nurse prepare to administer?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The geriatric nurse recognizes that the bodys homeostatic mechanisms may be compromised in the:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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To best minimize patient anxiety and help ensure a successful history assessment interview, the geriatric nurse first:

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