An alcoholic patient's spouse asks a nurse about recovery from chronic alcoholism. The patient is confused and has abnormal eye movements and nystagmus. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
a. "The symptoms your spouse shows are partly reversible in most people."
b. "These symptoms can be reversed with vitamin therapy and good nutrition."
c. "Your spouse has symptoms of an irre-versible encephalopathy."
d. "Your spouse will probably recover com-pletely after detoxification."
B
Chronic use of alcohol can produce severe neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This patient shows signs of Wernicke's encephalopathy, which is readily reversible with thiamine. With proper nutrition, the symptoms will clear completely. Korsakoff's psychosis is not reversible; signs of this disorder include polyneuropathy, memory disorders, and confabulation. Wernicke's encephalopathy requires thiamine supplementation and not just detoxification, which is treatment to withdraw alcohol from the patient's system.
You might also like to view...
The nurse who assesses for cultural influences, values cultural diversity, and incorporates cultural knowledge in his practice is said to be ____________ _____________
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of a client admitted a few days ago for pneumonia. Which type of assessment is the nurse completing?
1. An admission assessment 2. A focused assessment 3. Care management 4. Communication
A nurse who works in oncology questions the need to attend an education session on aneuploidy. What rationale would the nurse manager provide?
1. The hospital is offering cross-training to nurses so that they have more job security. 2. Accreditation agencies require cross-specialty education for all nurses. 3. Aneuploidy, transcription, and tumor suppression are related. 4. Many more newborns are being born with precancerous conditions.
A child is on phenytoin (Dilantin). What should the nurse encourage?
a. Fluid restriction b. Good dental hygiene c. A decrease in vitamin D intake d. Taking the medication with milk