A nurse in an urgent care clinic is caring for an infant who presents with vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased oral intake. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Rationale for correct choices:

• Opioid intoxication: The client's decreased respiratory rate, drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and positive response to naloxone are all indicative of opioid intoxication. These features, along with the presence of a needle in the antecubital space, strongly support recent opioid use and CNS depression.
• Pupil characteristics: Miotic pupils, or pinpoint pupils, are a classic physical sign of opioid intoxication. They occur due to opioid stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, and in a sedated client with a history of injection drug use, they confirm the likelihood of opioid overdose.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Alcohol intoxication: Alcohol intoxication usually presents with disinhibition, unsteady gait, slurred speech, and potentially aggressive or inappropriate behavior. The client’s severe sedation, low respiratory rate, and constricted pupils are not typical features of alcohol intoxication, especially with only one beer reported.
• Alcohol withdrawal: Alcohol withdrawal manifests with symptoms like tremors, agitation, hallucinations, seizures, and autonomic instability (tachycardia, hypertension). This client is sedated with bradypnea and hypotension, which are incompatible with alcohol withdrawal and more suggestive of CNS depression.
• Opioid withdrawal: Opioid withdrawal is marked by agitation, anxiety, mydriasis, vomiting, diarrhea, and piloerection. In contrast, this client is drowsy, has decreased bowel sounds, and constricted pupils, pointing toward active opioid intoxication rather than withdrawal.
• Amount of alcohol consumed: The report from EMS indicates the client consumed only one beer, which is insufficient to explain the severity of the symptoms. Minimal alcohol intake also makes both intoxication and withdrawal from alcohol highly unlikely as the primary issue.
• Current temperature: The client’s current temperature of 37.2°C (99°F) is within normal limits and does not support any particular diagnosis. It neither confirms nor excludes opioid or alcohol intoxication or withdrawal and is not a defining clinical sign in this context.
• Breath sounds: Breath sounds are equal and clear, offering no abnormal findings to support or contradict a diagnosis. While important for general assessment, they are not specific indicators for opioid intoxication or withdrawal and thus are less relevant than pupil changes.

Rationale:

A. Tell the client to sit alone in a private place and reflect on the situation: Clients in a panic state are overwhelmed, disorganized, and unable to focus. Leaving them alone can increase feelings of isolation and fear, worsening the anxiety.

B. Use short sentences when communicating with the client: During panic-level anxiety, the client's ability to process information is impaired. Clear, concise communication helps reduce confusion and provides a sense of control and safety.

C. Have the client journal about what is happening to him: Journaling requires introspection and cognitive organization, which are not possible when a client is in a panic state. This intervention is more appropriate once anxiety levels have decreased.

D. Encourage the client to talk about his feelings: While verbalizing emotions is therapeutic, a client in panic may not be able to articulate thoughts. The priority is to first reduce the anxiety to a manageable level using calm, simple guidance.