The adolescent client is in a drug rehabilitation program. The mother of this client says to the nurse, "The health care provider said my son has a physical addiction to alcohol
What does this mean?" Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. "He will have feelings of depression when stopping alcohol; we need to monitor him for suicide."
2. "His body is used to alcohol; he will have specific withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped."
3. "His brain remembers the euphoria he had with alcohol, and he has a craving to return to it."
4. "He will have an intense craving for alcohol; this is best managed in group therapy."
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Depression can accompany physical withdrawal, but physical signs are what require medical management.
Rationale 2: Over time, the body's cells become accustomed to the presence of the unnatural substance. Specific physical withdrawal symptoms will occur; the client needs to be medically withdrawn from the substance.
Rationale 3: Alcohol does produce euphoria, but a craving for the substance is not a medical issue.
Rationale 4: Psychological dependence, or craving, does not involve physical withdrawal symptoms.
Global Rationale: Over time, the body's cells become accustomed to the presence of the unnatural substance. Specific physical withdrawal symptoms will occur; the client needs to be medically withdrawn from the substance. Depression can accompany physical withdrawal, but physical signs are what require medical management. Alcohol does produce euphoria, but a craving for the substance is not a medical issue. Psychological dependence, or craving, does not involve physical withdrawal symptoms.
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