A nurse is caring for a client who has an alcohol use disorder and is experiencing withdrawal. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?
Identify the use of defense mechanisms.
Prevent the client from harming herself or others.
Support the client's coping skills.
The Correct Answer is B
Prevent the client from harming herself or others. Withdrawal from alcohol can lead to autonomic hyperactivity and is most concerning when it involves seizures, deliriums tremens, and hallucinations which can be potentially life-threatening. Therefore, the nurse's priority when caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal is to prevent harm to the client by implementing seizure precautions and monitoring the client's vital signs.
Choice A, identifying the use of defense mechanisms, is an important aspect of treatment but can be addressed later.
Choice C, supporting the client's coping skills, is not a priority intervention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
If a client reports acute anxiety, the nurse's first priority should be to remain with the client. The nurse should provide a safe, supportive environment for the client and help the client feel less anxious. This can be accomplished by staying with the client, listening attentively to the client, and offering reassurance and support. Options A and D are appropriate actions to take when caring for a client with anxiety, but they are not the first priority.
Option B may be an appropriate intervention when caring for a client with anxiety, but it is not the first priority.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Sertraline is a medication used to treat depression and other mental health conditions that can cause unwanted side effects. Excessive sweating and muscle twitching are potential side effects that should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider. A dry cough is a common side effect of other medications and not specific to sertraline.
Decreasing sodium intake is not necessarily related to the medication, and harmless, temporary changes in the ability to taste and smell are not significant enough to warrant special mention.
Choice B, "This medication can cause a dry cough," is a potential side effect of other medications and may cause confusion as to what medication the client is taking.
Choice C, "I need to decrease my sodium intake while on this medication," is not likely a statement related to sertraline but to other medications or medical conditions.
Choice D, "This medication can cause harmless, temporary changes to my ability to taste and smell," while accurate, is not the most critical information for the client to know about and may cause confusion as to what the client should report to the provider.
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