Nokea
A patient with a history of daily alcohol abuse was hospitalized at 0200 today. When would the nurse expect withdrawal symptoms to peak?
- A. Between 0800 and 1000 today (6 to 8 hours after drinking stopped)
- B. Between 0200 tomorrow and hospital day 2 (24 to 48 hours after drinking stopped)
- C. About 0200 on hospital day 3 (72 hours after drinking stopped)
- D. About 0200 on hospital day 4 (96 hours after drinking stopped)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal usually begins 2 to 8 hours after cessation or significant reduction of alcohol intake. It peaks between 24 and 48 hours, then resolves or progresses to delirium.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient was admitted 1 day ago with a hip fracture sustained in a fall while intoxicated. The patient points to the Buck's traction and screams, 'Somebody tied me up with ropes.' The patient's response is described by what term?
- A. An illusion
- B. A delusion
- C. Hallucinations
- D. Hypnagogic phenomenon
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is misinterpreting a sensory perception when seeing a rope instead of traction. Illusions are common in early withdrawal from alcohol.
Which assessment findings best correlate to the withdrawal from central nervous system depressants?
- A. Dilated pupils, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, elation
- B. Labile mood, lack of coordination, fever, drowsiness
- C. Nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, anxiety, tremors
- D. Excessive eating, constipation, headache
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNS depressant withdrawal symptoms resemble a flulike state with seizures possible.
When assessing a patient who has ingested flunitrazepam, what should the nurse expect?
- A. Acrophobia
- B. Hypothermia
- C. Hallucinations
- D. Anterograde amnesia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flunitrazepam causes anterograde amnesia, disinhibition, and muscle relaxation.
A newly hospitalized patient has needle tracks on both arms. A friend states that the patient uses heroin daily but has not used in the past 24 hours. The nurse should assess the patient withdrawal symptoms?
- A. Slurred speech, excessive drowsiness, and bradycardia
- B. Paranoid delusions, tactile hallucinations, and panic
- C. Runny nose, yawning, insomnia, and chills
- D. Anxiety, agitation, and aggression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Early narcotic withdrawal resembles flulike symptoms without fever.
A patient was admitted 48 hours ago for injuries sustained while intoxicated. The patient is shaky, irritable, anxious, and diaphoretic. The pulse rate is 130 beats/min. The patient shouts, 'Snakes are crawling on my bed. I've got to get out of here.' What is the most accurate assessment of the situation?
- A. The patient is attempting to obtain attention by manipulating staff.
- B. The patient may have sustained a head injury before admission.
- C. The patient has symptoms of alcohol withdrawal delirium.
- D. The patient is having a recurrence of an acute psychosis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms of agitation, elevated pulse, and perceptual distortions point to alcohol withdrawal delirium, a medical emergency.