A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing manifestations of alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider to prescribe?
Methadone
Salicylate
Benzodiazepines
Diphenhydramine
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason : Methadone is an opioid used primarily for opioid maintenance therapy and to relieve severe pain, not typically for alcohol withdrawal. It does not address the specific symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal such as seizures or delirium tremens¹.
Choice B reason : Salicylates, such as aspirin, are not used to treat alcohol withdrawal. They can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be a concern in individuals with a history of heavy alcohol use¹.
Choice C reason : Benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide, are the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal. They help reduce the risk of seizures, ease withdrawal symptoms, and can prevent the progression to more severe forms of withdrawal such as delirium tremens¹².
Choice D reason : Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine with sedative properties, but it is not a first-line medication for alcohol withdrawal. While it may provide some sedation, it does not prevent seizures or other serious complications of alcohol withdrawal¹.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason : The plantar reflex, also known as the Babinski sign, is elicited by stroking the lateral aspect of the sole of the foot. A positive response is indicated by dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of the other toes. This reflex is normal in infants but may indicate central nervous system damage in adults¹. However, it is not specifically associated with meningeal irritation.
Choice B reason : Kernig's sign is a clinical sign wherein the patient experiences severe stiffness of the hamstrings causing an inability to straighten the leg when the hip is flexed to 90 degrees. This sign can indicate meningeal irritation but is not as early a sign as Brudzinski's sign².
Choice C reason : Brudzinski's sign is one of the most indicative signs of meningeal irritation. When the neck is flexed, there is involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This reflex is an early sign of meningeal irritation and is considered a critical manifestation in assessing meningitis following head trauma².
Choice D reason : Sunsetting eyes, characterized by the downward deviation of the eyes, is associated with increased intracranial pressure, which can occur in conditions like hydrocephalus. While it may be seen in the context of brain injury, it is not a specific sign of meningeal irritation³.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason : Heat intolerance is not a symptom associated with myxedema coma. Instead, patients with myxedema coma typically present with cold intolerance due to decreased metabolic rate and reduced heat production as a result of hypothyroidism¹.
Choice B reason : Facial edema, particularly around the eyes, is a characteristic finding in myxedema coma. This condition results from severe hypothyroidism, which can cause mucopolysaccharide deposition in the skin, leading to non-pitting edema¹.
Choice C reason : Tachycardia is not expected in myxedema coma; rather, bradycardia is more common due to the reduced metabolic demands of the body in the hypothyroid state¹.
Choice D reason : Diarrhea is not typically a symptom of myxedema coma. Patients are more likely to experience constipation due to slowed gastrointestinal motility in the context of hypothyroidism¹.
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