What is a disulfiram reaction?
What will be an ideal response?
Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a drug given to recovering alcoholics to assist with abstinence. If ETOH
is taken while the person is taking disulfiram, a disulfiram reaction occurs. Disulfiram interacts
by interfering with the metabolic breakdown of alcohol, and the resulting accumulation of
acetaldehyde results in a profound systemic reaction. Without this enzyme, even a sip or two of
alcohol will remain in the blood at an unacceptably high level of acetaldehyde, a potent poison
to the system. This level of acetaldehyde is manifested by facial flushing, a pounding headache,
sweating, slurred speech, abdominal cramps, profound nausea and vomiting, tachycardia, fever,
palpitations, marked drop in blood pressure (BP), dyspnea, and a sense of chest constriction. This
might begin as early as 10 minutes after alcohol (or metronidazole) is consumed and can last up to
24 hours.
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The major focus of nursing intervention for the patient with pancreatitis is
a. fluid replacement. b. electrolyte imbalance. c. establishing suction. d. controlling pain.
How do nurses facilitate the achievement of high-level wellness with a patient?
A) Encouraging the patient to keep appointments B) Providing information on alternative treatments C) Promoting health D) Providing good patient care
Which causes nervousness?
a. adrenergic b. adrenergic blocker c. cholinergic d. anticholinergic
When a patient has an increased serum level of ionized calcium, which hormone will be released?
A) Insulin B) Estrogen C) Testosterone D) Calcitonin