The nurse assesses a 33-year-old who abuses alcohol. To gauge how the client's substance use is impairing his ability to fulfill normal role functions, the nurse should use: (Select all that apply.)

Question

A) History of arrests for drunken driving
B) Age at the time of first alcoholic drink
C) Jobs lost due to intoxication at work and chronic absenteeism
D) Failing grades in night classes at the local community college
E) Blood alcohol level at time of last arrest for driving while intoxicated

Answer 1

Ans: A, C, D
Feedback:
Legal, employment, or academic difficulties that have resulted from misuse are an important gauge of how substance use is impairing the client's ability to fulfill normal role functions. Age at first use of a substance is a key indicator for risk of substance dependence but would not be a good gauge for how substance use is impairing the client's fulfillment of roles. Blood alcohol level is used to establish whether someone is intoxicated, but would not be a good gauge for how substance use is impairing the client's fulfillment of roles.