A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving treatment for chronic alcohol use disorder. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer to assist the client in maintaining abstinence by aversion therapy?
Explanation & Rationale
B. Disulfiram works by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is involved in the metabolism of alcohol. When a person drinks alcohol while taking disulfiram, they experience unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, and palpitations. These aversive reactions are intended to deter the individual from consuming alcohol, thereby supporting abstinence. A. Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and mood disorders, but it is not typically used for aversion therapy in alcohol use disorder. C. Atenolol is a beta-blocker medication used to treat hypertension and certain heart conditions. It is not indicated for aversion therapy in alcohol use disorder. D. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and certain seizure disorders. It is not used for aversion therapy in alcohol use disorder.