The nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which nursing diagnosis receives priority for a patient in alcohol withdrawal?
1. Risk for Injury
2. Ineffective Coping
3. Disturbed Sensory Perception
4. Disturbed Thought Processes
Answer: 1
Explanation: A patient who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal is at risk for injury from delirium tremens. Death from delirium tremens can occur from volume depletion, electrolyte imbalance, or cardiac arrhythmia. Disturbed thought processes and disturbed sensory perceptions are diagnoses used for delusions, hallucinations, and illusions that may occur during delirium tremens, however, these are not highest priority diagnoses. Ineffective coping is not the priority for the patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
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