A client admitted for trauma sustained while intoxicated has been hospitalized for 48 hours. He is
shaky, irritable, and anxious and tells of having vivid nightmares for 2 nights.
An hour later, the
nurse finds the client restless and perspiring. His pulse is 130 beats/min. He shouts "There are bugs
crawling on my bed. I have got to get out of here," and begins to thrash about. The most accurate
assessment of the situation would be the client
a. is attempting to obtain attention by manipulating staff.
b. may have sustained a head injury before admission.
c. is having a recurrence of an acute psychosis.
d. is demonstrating symptoms consistent with withdrawal delirium.
D
Symptoms of agitation, elevated pulse, and perceptual distortions point to alcohol withdrawal
delirium, a medical emergency. Option A: His behaviors are inconsistent with manipulative
attempts. Options B and C: The physical symptoms are inconsistent with both head injury and
functional psychosis.
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