A public health nurse prepares a teaching plan to address the health problems of a group of opioid-dependent patients. What should be the nurse's priority focus?

Question

a. Management of acute overdoses
b. Prevention of infections
c. Recognition of contaminated drugs
d. Ways to cope with hyperactivity and irritability

Answer 1

B
Infections that occur secondary to the sharing of unsterile needles are common in opio-id-dependent patients. The infections that opioid abusers commonly acquire include septicemia, subcutaneous ulcers, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus.
Teaching patients how to manage an overdose is important but not the priority. The nurse's focus is on preventing disease in the community.
Recognizing contaminated drugs is also important but not a priority.
Ways to cope with hyperactivity and irritability are important topics for the nurse to cover, but they are not the priority in this situation.