A nurse suspects that a client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal based on assessment of which of the following?

A. "Are you feeling worse since taking the medication?" This is an important safety question to ask, as it helps to assess whether the client’s condition has worsened since starting the medication. However, it is not the first priority when evaluating the efficacy of a newly prescribed antidepressant.

B. "How long have you been taking the medication?" This is the most important question to ask first because the effectiveness of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, can take several weeks to become apparent. If the client has not been taking the medication for an adequate period, the drug may simply not have had enough time to work yet.

C. "What time of day are you taking the medication?" While the timing of the medication can affect side effects, it is less critical than knowing how long the client has been on the medication when assessing its effectiveness.

D. "What dosage of medication are you taking?" This is an important follow-up question but not the first priority. The duration of treatment is more critical to assess before considering dosage adjustments.

A. Sit with the client for a few minutes. While providing comfort is important, it does not address the immediate need to evaluate and manage a potentially serious condition.

B. Administer an analgesic. Administering analgesics without assessing the cause of the headache might mask symptoms of a serious issue. This is not the priority action.

C. Inform the nurse manager. Informing the nurse manager is important but does not directly address the client’s immediate needs or potential emergency.

D. Call the health care provider immediately. Reporting severe headache in a client with a cerebral aneurysm is critical as it could indicate worsening of the condition, such as aneurysm rupture or increased intracranial pressure. Immediate action is required to prevent further complications.