A nurse is caring for a client who has an acute exacerbation of chronic pain. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering for the client?

Rationale:

A. "Taking disulfiram is an alternate therapy instead of joining Alcoholics Anonymous.": Disulfiram is a pharmacologic aid and should be used in combination with counseling or support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. It is not a standalone treatment and does not replace behavioral therapies.

B. "I should avoid products containing alcohol, like mouthwash, while taking this medication.": Disulfiram causes a severe reaction when alcohol is ingested, even in small amounts found in products like mouthwash or cough syrup. Avoiding all alcohol-containing products demonstrates correct understanding of safety precautions while taking this medication.

C. "Disulfiram is mainly used for people who are at a high risk for a relapse of drinking alcohol.": Disulfiram is primarily used to maintain abstinence by causing unpleasant reactions with alcohol, but it is not limited to clients at high risk of relapse. It is important for all clients on disulfiram to understand adherence and alcohol avoidance.

D. "My sensitivity to alcohol will go away 24 hours after I stop taking this medication.": Disulfiram’s effects persist for up to 14 days after discontinuation, not just 24 hours. The client must continue to avoid alcohol for a longer period even after stopping the medication to prevent adverse reactions.

Rationale:

A. "Biofeedback requires concentration to control physiological responses.": Biofeedback is a technique that helps clients gain voluntary control over involuntary bodily functions, such as muscle tension, heart rate, or skin temperature. Through focused concentration and real-time feedback from monitoring devices, clients learn to reduce stress and prevent migraine triggers.

B. “Biofeedback improves energy flow through soft tissue manipulation to increase circulation.": This description aligns more with massage or energy-based therapies, not biofeedback. Biofeedback does not involve physical manipulation of tissues but relies on monitoring and controlling physiological responses through mental focus.

C. "Biofeedback uses herbs to reduce inflammation": Herbal therapy is a complementary approach unrelated to biofeedback. Biofeedback does not incorporate herbal remedies and instead emphasizes self-regulation techniques using bio-monitoring equipment.

D. “Biofeedback stimulates certain pressure points to relax muscles": Stimulating pressure points is characteristic of acupressure or acupuncture, not biofeedback. While muscle relaxation is a goal of biofeedback, it is achieved through self-regulation and feedback, not external stimulation.