The nurse is caring for a client with alcohol use disorder. Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate for a client to prevent Korsakoff’s syndrome?
Encouraging the client to consume foods high in vitamin B1.
Implementing strict bed rest to conserve energy.
Restricting fluid intake to prevent water intoxication.
Administering thiamine supplements as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason: Encouraging the client to consume foods high in vitamin B1 (thiamine) is beneficial, but it may not be sufficient alone to prevent Korsakoff’s syndrome in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Thiamine is crucial for brain function, and its deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. However, due to malabsorption issues common in alcohol use disorder, dietary intake alone might not meet the necessary thiamine levels.
Choice B Reason: Implementing strict bed rest to conserve energy is not directly related to preventing Korsakoff’s syndrome. While rest is important for overall health, it does not address the thiamine deficiency that leads to this condition. Korsakoff’s syndrome is primarily caused by a lack of thiamine, and conserving energy does not mitigate this deficiency.
Choice C Reason: Restricting fluid intake to prevent water intoxication is not relevant to preventing Korsakoff’s syndrome. Water intoxication is a separate issue and does not address the thiamine deficiency that causes Korsakoff’s syndrome. Proper hydration is important, but it does not prevent the neurological damage associated with thiamine deficiency.
Choice D Reason: Administering thiamine supplements as prescribed is the most appropriate intervention to prevent Korsakoff’s syndrome. Thiamine supplementation is crucial for individuals with alcohol use disorder because their bodies often cannot absorb enough thiamine from food alone. Thiamine is essential for brain function, and its deficiency can lead to severe neurological damage. Administering supplements ensures that the client receives an adequate amount of this vital nutrient.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to restricted food intake and excessive weight loss. Individuals with anorexia nervosa often have a relentless pursuit of thinness and may engage in extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and other behaviors to lose weight. While eliminating specific foods can be a part of anorexia nervosa, the primary focus is on weight loss and body image rather than the purity or healthiness of the food.
Choice B Reason: Rumination Disorder
Rumination disorder involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This condition is more common in infants and individuals with developmental disabilities but can occur in people of all ages. The behavior is typically involuntary and not related to concerns about food purity or healthiness. Therefore, it does not align with the client’s report of eliminating specific foods to “eat clean.”
Choice C Reason: Orthorexia
Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy or pure. Individuals with orthorexia may eliminate entire food groups, such as sugars, carbohydrates, or dairy, in their quest to maintain a “clean” diet6. This condition can lead to malnutrition and social isolation due to the restrictive nature of the diet. The client’s report of eliminating specific foods to “eat clean” is a clear indication of orthorexia.

Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d. Splitting.
Choice A Reason: Denial
Denial is a defense mechanism where an individual refuses to accept reality or facts, blocking external events from awareness. While denial can be present in various mental health conditions, it does not specifically explain the client’s sudden shift from idealizing to devaluing the nurse.
Choice B Reason: Separation-individuation
Separation-individuation refers to a developmental process where an individual differentiates themselves from others, particularly caregivers, and develops a sense of self. This concept is more relevant to early childhood development and does not directly explain the client’s behavior in this context.
Choice C Reason: Reaction formation
Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual expresses feelings or behaviors that are opposite to their true feelings or desires. While this can occur in borderline personality disorder, it does not fully capture the client’s extreme shift in perception from positive to negative.
Choice D Reason: Splitting
Splitting is a hallmark characteristic of borderline personality disorder. It involves viewing people or situations in black-and-white terms, as either all good or all bad, with no middle ground. The client’s outburst, shifting from idealizing the nurse to seeing them as hateful, is a classic example of splitting. This defense mechanism helps individuals with borderline personality disorder manage their intense emotions and fears of abandonment.
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