Exam 38: Drug Abuse II: Alcohol

An alcoholic patient's spouse asks a nurse about recovery from chronic alcoholism. The patient is confused and has abnormal eye movements and nystagmus. Which statement by the nurse is correct?

During a health history, the nurse asks a male patient about alcohol use. The patient tells the nurse that he and his wife are trying to conceive a pregnancy and he is using alcohol to lower his inhibitions. What will the nurse counsel this patient?

A patient who is an active alcoholic is admitted to the hospital for surgery. The nurse reviewing orders for this patient would be correct to question which postoperative medication for this patient?

A nurse is obtaining an admission history on a patient who reports daily drinking for several years. When the nurse questions the patient further, the patient reports drinking up to five or six drinks each day. The patient expresses worry about liver damage. What will the nurse do?

A pregnant patient in labor tells the nurse that she is afraid she may have harmed her fetus by consuming alcohol. What is an appropriate response by the nurse?

A patient who has undergone treatment for alcoholism several times, with relapse occurring shortly after each treatment, has just completed detoxification. The patient requests a medication to help maintain abstinence. Which drug will the nurse expect the provider to prescribe?

A college student who is unresponsive is brought to the emergency department by friends, who say that their friend drank more than half of a large bottle of whiskey 3 hours ago. Assessment reveals a blood alcohol level of 0.32%. The vital signs are BP, 88/32 mm Hg; R, 6/min; T, 96.8°F; and P, 76/min and weak and thready. The nurse should prepare the patient for which intervention?

A nurse is providing education to a group of college students about the long-term effects of alcohol. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?

A nursing student asks a nurse to discuss alcoholism and alcohol use disorder. Which statement by the nurse is correct?

A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The patient's speech is slurred. The nurse notes the smell of alcohol on the patient's breath and observes hand tremors. The patient's blood alcohol level is 0.4%. The nurse will expect to:

A nurse is screening a patient being admitted to the hospital. The patient reports being fired for drinking at work. On further questioning, the patient reveals a history of daily alcohol consumption of more than six packs of beer each day, regular morning drinking, and several unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking. The nurse detects alcohol on the patient's breath. The nurse will inform the provider of these findings and request an order for which medication?

A patient tells a nurse that she drinks wine for its cardioprotective effects. She wants to know how much is safe. The nurse is correct in telling her that:

A male patient tells a nurse that he drinks six packs of beer a day. When the nurse begins to question him further about his alcohol consumption, he says, "You sound like my wife. She's always nagging me to quit. It's only beer!" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A patient who is an alcoholic is prescribed disulfiram [Antabuse] to help prevent relapse and the nurse provides teaching about the use of this drug. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

A patient asks a nurse about the effects of chronic alcohol use on the heart. The nurse's best response would be which statement?

A nurse is discussing alcohol abuse with a group of nursing students. One student asks whether alcohol consumption has any beneficial effects. The nurse replies that, in moderate amounts, alcohol: