The nurse is teaching a client about the initiation of a prescribed abstinence therapy using disulfiram. Which information should the client provide to acknowledge understanding?
Attend monthly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
Admit to others that he is a substance abuser.
Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Attending Alcoholics Anonymous supports recovery but is not specific to disulfiram’s mechanism or initiation requirements. Remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours prevents adverse reactions, directly relating to disulfiram’s use, making this incorrect for demonstrating understanding of the medication’s requirements.
Choice B reason: Disulfiram causes severe reactions if alcohol is consumed, so remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours before the first dose is critical to avoid adverse effects. This demonstrates understanding of safe initiation, aligning with pharmacotherapy guidelines, making it the correct choice for client education.
Choice C reason: Admitting substance abuse is part of recovery but unrelated to disulfiram’s pharmacological requirements. Avoiding alcohol for 12 hours before starting is essential for safety, making this incorrect, as it does not reflect understanding of disulfiram’s specific administration protocol.
Choice D reason: Abstaining from heroin or cocaine is irrelevant to disulfiram, which targets alcohol use. Remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours addresses disulfiram’s alcohol-specific reaction, making this incorrect, as it does not demonstrate understanding of the medication’s purpose or initiation requirements.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Decreased bowel movements (constipation) are a common side effect of benztropine due to its anticholinergic properties, but they do not indicate worsening EPS or treatment failure. Increased mouth movements suggest persistent or worsening EPS, requiring further evaluation, making constipation less critical for immediate reassessment.
Choice B reason: Decreasing hand tremors indicate benztropine’s effectiveness in treating EPS, as it reduces parkinsonian symptoms like tremors. This is a desired outcome, not a cause for further evaluation. Increased mouth movements, suggesting tardive dyskinesia or EPS persistence, are more concerning, making this incorrect.
Choice C reason: Increased mouth movements, such as tardive dyskinesia or dystonia, suggest worsening or inadequately controlled EPS, potentially indicating benztropine’s ineffectiveness or a need for dose adjustment. This finding warrants further evaluation, aligning with psychopharmacology evidence for monitoring anticholinergic therapy, making it the correct choice.
Choice D reason: Dry mouth is a common anticholinergic side effect of benztropine, not an indicator of EPS worsening. It is expected and manageable, unlike increased mouth movements, which signal potential EPS complications. This finding does not require immediate evaluation, making it incorrect for further nursing assessment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Vomiting may occur in narcotic withdrawal, but seizures and loss of consciousness are more characteristic of severe withdrawal from other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. Narcotic withdrawal typically presents with agitation, sweating, and gastrointestinal symptoms, not primarily neurological collapse, making this less accurate for documenting suspected opioid withdrawal in this adolescent.
Choice B reason: Hypotension and shallow respirations are not typical of narcotic withdrawal; they suggest overdose or other conditions. Dilated pupils occur in withdrawal, but agitation and sweating are more prominent. This combination does not fully capture the autonomic and gastrointestinal symptoms of opioid withdrawal, making it incorrect for documentation.
Choice C reason: Agitation, sweating, and abdominal cramps are hallmark signs of narcotic withdrawal, reflecting autonomic hyperactivity and gastrointestinal distress due to opioid cessation. These symptoms align with the clinical presentation of opioid withdrawal in an adolescent with needle marks, supported by addiction medicine evidence, making this the best choice for documentation.
Choice D reason: Depression, fatigue, and dizziness may occur in later withdrawal phases but are less specific than agitation, sweating, and cramps, which are acute and prominent in early narcotic withdrawal. These symptoms are too vague to capture the immediate autonomic response, making this incorrect for documenting suspected opioid withdrawal.
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