Nokea
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on an alcoholic patient. Which of the following actions by the nurse would best ensure honest answers?
- A. Not asking personal questions
- B. Having a nonjudgmental attitude
- C. Including the family
- D. Promising the patient not to tell anyone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude may reassure the patient and allow him to be more honest in his responses to the admission assessment.
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What must a patient in the late stages of dependence do in order to recover?
- A. Gain insight into the addiction.
- B. Receive treatment for substance abuse.
- C. Pledge to lead a completely different lifestyle.
- D. Seek a nondrug-oriented support system.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Very few people in the late stage of dependence will recover without treatment. The other options may aid in the recovery, but it is the treatment that is essential for recovery.
The nurse cautions that a person who chronically abuses drugs may experience mental impairment. The area of the brain that can be affected and permanently damaged is the system.
Correct Answer: limbic
Rationale: The most commonly abused drugs act on the limbic system of the brain and can cause permanent damage.
During the detoxification period, what does the nurse aim to achieve when designing interventions?
- A. Enroll the patient in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- B. Keep the patient safe from aspiration and seizure.
- C. Help the patient interact in nonaddictive activities.
- D. Help the patient gain insight into the addiction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Care for the addicted patient starts with detoxification and is focused on keeping the patient safe from the symptoms of withdrawal. Enrolling the patient in AA, helping the patient interact in nonaddictive activities, and helping the patient gain insight into the addiction would be part of the rehabilitation process.
Which statement describes the impaired nurse who is in a peer assistance program?
- A. The nurse has a revoked nursing license.
- B. The nurse does not have to notify her employer.
- C. The nurse will be allowed to work as a nurse under supervision.
- D. The nurse will be reported to the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The peer assistance program allows the nurse to retain licensure and continue to work under supervision, although possibly in an area where access to controlled drugs is difficult. It is necessary for the employer to have information regarding the peer assistance assignment. Action is not reported to the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank until final adverse actions are taken, allowing the nurse to complete the peer assistance program.
The nurse assesses an alcoholic patient carefully for signs of withdrawal. How soon after cessation of alcohol intake do withdrawal symptoms usually appear?
- A. 3 hours
- B. 4 hours
- C. 5 hours
- D. 6 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Withdrawal signs can occur as early as 6 hours after cessation of alcohol intake and sometimes last for 3 to 5 days.