A client enters the emergency room exhibiting tremors, agitation, and restlessness. Upon assessment, his blood pressure is 160/90, pulse is 110, and respirations are 22. It has been 36 hours since his last drink of alcohol
The nurse would suspect which of the following conditions to be occurring?
A) Alcohol tolerance
B) Korsakoff's psychosis
C) Delirium tremens
D) Wernicke's encephalopathy
Ans: C
Delirium tremens may occur 24 to 72 hours after the client's last drink. Elevation of vital signs accompanies restlessness, tremulousness, agitation, and hyperalertness. Tolerance is a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effect. Korsakoff's psychosis is a form of amnesia characterized by a loss of short-term memory and the inability to learn new skills. Wernicke's encephalopathy is an inflammatory hemorrhagic, degenerative condition of the brain caused by a thiamine deficiency.
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