A male client with a long history of alcohol dependency arrives in the Emergency Department describing the feeling of bugs crawling on his body. His blood pressure is 170/102 mm Hg, pulse rate is 110 beats/minute, and blood alcohol level (BAL) is 0 mg/dL. Which prescription should the nurse administer?

Haloperidol.

Lorazepam.

Diphenyhydramine.

Thiamine.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Haloperidol is an antipsychotic that may be used for agitation or hallucinations, but it is not the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Administering haloperidol without addressing withdrawal may not be effective and could lead to further complications.

B) Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine and is the preferred medication for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including agitation, anxiety, and hallucinations. It helps reduce the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and seizures while providing sedative effects. Given the client’s symptoms of feeling bugs crawling on his body, which may indicate tactile hallucinations due to withdrawal, lorazepam would be the most appropriate choice.

C) Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can be used for allergic reactions or as a sedative, but it is not effective for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

D) Thiamine is important to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy in clients with a history of alcohol dependency, especially if there are signs of confusion or neurological deficits. However, it does not address the immediate symptoms of withdrawal the client is experiencing.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Determining if the client has a weapon available for use is the most immediate and critical action. Assessing the availability of a weapon helps the nurse evaluate the level of risk and potential for harm, which is essential for ensuring safety.

B) Informing the healthcare provider of the threat to harm coworkers is important but should follow an immediate assessment of the client's access to weapons. Safety must be prioritized in situations involving threats of violence.

C) Having the employee escorted to a mental health facility may be necessary, but it should be based on the initial assessment of the risk they pose. This action is more appropriate after determining the client's immediate safety level.

D) Notifying security about the client's intention to harm coworkers is also a necessary step; however, it should occur after assessing the situation and determining if there is an imminent threat. The focus should first be on understanding the potential for harm.

A. Provide education on methods to enhance sleep. B. Encourage the client to exercise. C. Teach the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities. D. Suggest that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Providing education on methods to enhance sleep may be helpful, especially since hypersomnia is a symptom. However, simply focusing on sleep does not address the broader functional impairments that the client is experiencing. While improving sleep hygiene can contribute to overall well-being, it is not the most comprehensive approach for facilitating a return to normal functioning.

B) Encouraging the client to exercise can be beneficial, as physical activity is known to have positive effects on mood and energy levels. However, for someone experiencing significant psychomotor retardation and amotivation, initiating an exercise routine can be daunting and may not be the most immediate or effective intervention. A structured approach is often more helpful in these cases.

C) Teaching the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities is likely to be the most effective intervention. Structured activities provide a framework that can help combat psychomotor retardation and amotivation by breaking down tasks into manageable parts. This approach encourages the client to engage in routine, which can gradually enhance motivation and overall functioning, helping them feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

D) Suggesting that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities could provide some motivation, but it may not be sufficient on its own, especially given the client's current level of amotivation. While identifying pleasurable activities is valuable, it is essential to pair this with a structured plan that encourages active participation and accountability, making the structured activities approach more effective in this context.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An employee with a history of hypertension, visits the employee clinic weekly for blood pressure checks. During the assessment the client reports being upset with coworkers and would like to shoot them. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A middle-aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor retardation, hypersomnia, and amotivation. Which intervention is likely to be most effective in returning this client to a normal level of functioning?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with schizophrenia receives a prescription for fluphenazine. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include when teaching the client about this drug?

The nurse is caring for client who is experiencing extreme sadness after the passing of a companion of 30 years. The client describes not being able to think of other things and finds it difficult to control emotions. Which action should the nurse take first?

A young adult client is admitted to a psychiatric facility with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

Which goal has the highest priority for an adolescent client who is hospitalized for weight loss related to anorexia nervosa?

The nurse is providing care for a client diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder who has self-inflicted lacerations on the abdomen. Which approach should the nurse use when changing this client's dressings?

When responding to a call light, the nurse finds a client with aggressive behaviors pacing and restless in the room. The client shouts, "What took you so long to get in here!" Which action should the nurse implement?

During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is extremely anxious and expresses that she is worried about the sun coming up the next day. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement during the admission process?