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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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client is easily startled by loud voices. Clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may exhibit hyperarousal symptoms, including exaggerated startle responses and hypervigilance. The client talking constantly about the traumatic experience is a possible finding in PTSD but not specific. The client is constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily is more associated with depression than PTSD. While the client may have satisfying personal relationships, it does not address the question of what finding to expect with PTSD, making choice C incorrect.
Reasons why the other choices are not answers:
Choice A, the client talking constantly about the traumatic experience, is a possible symptom of PTSD, but it is not specific to the disorder and may also indicate other disorders.
Choice B, the client being constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily, is more indicative of depression than PTSD and also does not address the question of finding expected with PTSD.
Choice C, the client reports satisfying personal relationships with family and close friends, does not address what finding is expected with PTSD, making it an incorrect answer.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Accompany the client when ambulating. The nurse’s priority when caring for a client with alcohol use disorder and who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms is to prevent harm to the client. Physiologic manifestations of alcohol withdrawal syndrome include seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and hallucinations. Therefore, ensuring the client’s safety is of the utmost importance. Accompanying the client when ambulating is the priority intervention as alcohol withdrawal may lead to ataxia, weakness, and dizziness which may lead to falls.
Choice A, placing the client in a private room, does not address the client’s physical needs.
Choice B, determining the client's level of disorientation, is something necessary to assess but not the priority.
Choice C, padding the side rails of the bed with towels, is not the priority intervention, and contributes little to the prevention of falls.
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