A client with a history of heavy alcohol use is brought to an emergency department (ED) by family members who state that the client has had nothing to drink in the last 48 hours
When the nurse reports to the ED physician, which client symptom should be the nurse's first priority? 1. Hearing and visual impairment
2. Blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg
3. Mood rating of 2/10 on numeric scale
4. Dehydration
2
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that high blood pressure is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and should promptly report this finding to the physician. Complications associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome may progress to alcohol withdrawal delirium in about the second or third day following cessation of prolonged alcohol use.
You might also like to view...
A patient has recently been diagnosed with advanced malignant melanoma and is scheduled for a wide excision of the tumor on her chest. In writing the plan of care for this patient, what major nursing diagnosis should the nurse include?
A) Deficient Knowledge about Early Signs of Melanoma B) Chronic Pain Related to Surgical Excision and Grafting C) Depression Related to Reconstructive Surgery D) Anxiety Related to Lack of Social Support
A patient had a significant blood loss in surgery and now has a low hemoglobin level. The patient complains of fatigue. The nurse intervenes to facilitate adaptation by establishing periods of rest and scheduling activities throughout the day
The nurse could be basing care on the conceptual model of a. Johnson. b. King. c. Orem. d. Roy.
A nursing student's attitude is defined as
A) Belief in one's self B) Desire to do good C) Disposition toward situations D) Choosing between alternatives
The cerebral spinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord
True False