A nurse in an addiction rehabilitation center is contributing to the plan of care for a newly admitted client who has an alcohol use disorder. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?
Place the client in a private room.
Determine the client's level of disorientation.
Pad the side rails of the bed with towels.
Accompany the client when ambulating.
The Correct Answer is D
Accompany the client when ambulating. The nurse’s priority when caring for a client with alcohol use disorder and who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms is to prevent harm to the client. Physiologic manifestations of alcohol withdrawal syndrome include seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and hallucinations. Therefore, ensuring the client’s safety is of the utmost importance. Accompanying the client when ambulating is the priority intervention as alcohol withdrawal may lead to ataxia, weakness, and dizziness which may lead to falls.
Choice A, placing the client in a private room, does not address the client’s physical needs.
Choice B, determining the client's level of disorientation, is something necessary to assess but not the priority.
Choice C, padding the side rails of the bed with towels, is not the priority intervention, and contributes little to the prevention of falls.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client should expect hand tremors to start less than 24 hours after they stop drinking when reinforcing teaching about alcohol withdrawal with a client who has a history of alcohol use disorder.
Choice A, "Disulfiram will prevent my cravings for alcohol," is incorrect because disulfiram works by creating a very unpleasant reaction when the client drinks alcohol and is not a medication for preventing cravings.
Choice B, "It is important that I take Vitamin C to prevent liver cirrhosis or other liver damage," is incorrect because Vitamin C is not indicated for liver disease related to alcohol use disorder and is not effective in preventing it.
Choice C, "Withdrawal symptoms should last about 5 to 7 days once they begin," is incorrect because withdrawal symptoms can last for several days or even weeks, depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
If suspicion of abuse exists then reporting is mandatory.
Choice A is incorrect because civil liability does not depend on whether the abuse can be proven or not, but on whether the report was made in good faith or not.
Choice B is incorrect because evidence of abuse does not need to be collected prior to reporting, but only reasonable suspicion of abuse.
Choice C is incorrect because reporting is not voluntary for healthcare workers, but mandatory by law.
Choice D is correct because if suspicion of abuse exists then reporting is mandatory for any person, agency, organization, or entity with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect.
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