A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal and notes visible tremors and an elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?

Choice A reason: Methadone is used primarily for opioid withdrawal and maintenance therapy. It is not appropriate for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and would not address the autonomic hyperactivity or risk of seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal. Choice B reason: Disulfiram is used as a deterrent to alcohol consumption by causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is ingested. It is contraindicated during acute withdrawal due to its potential to worsen symptoms and its lack of efficacy in managing withdrawal-related autonomic instability. Choice C reason: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine and the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal. It helps reduce the risk of seizures, controls agitation, and stabilizes vital signs. Benzodiazepines act on GABA receptors, which are dysregulated during withdrawal, making them effective in symptom management. Choice D reason: Naltrexone is used to reduce cravings and prevent relapse in alcohol use disorder but is not indicated for acute withdrawal. Administering it during withdrawal can precipitate adverse effects and does not address the immediate physiological symptoms.