A patient who misuses alcohol finished drinking at noon. At 6 p.m. which autonomic manifestations of alcohol withdrawal would the nurse assess in the patient?
1. Nausea and abdominal cramps
2. Diaphoresis and tremors
3. Anorexia and diarrhea
4. Auditory-visual hallucinations and global confusion
2
Rationale 1: These are not autonomic manifestations of alcohol withdrawal.
Rationale 2: Because alcohol is short acting, the nurse anticipates that signs and symptoms of minor withdrawal commonly appear within 6 to 12 hours of the last ingestion. Autonomic manifestations that occur during the first hours of alcohol withdrawal include hyperventilation, tachycardia, palpitations, hypertension, increased body temperature, hyperreflexia, insomnia, restlessness, diaphoresis, tremors, mydriasis, and seizures.
Rationale 3: Anorexia and diarrhea are nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms that not associated with either drug or alcohol abuse.
Rationale 4: Auditory and visual hallucinations are later manifestations associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
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