A nurse is caring for a client who was hospitalized with a high blood alcohol content level. The provider fears the client may go into withdrawal and require medical supervision. The client's manifestations included anxiety, tremors, BP 166/100 mm Hg, and tachypnea about 1 hr ago. Now the client begins yelling out that they are seeing spiders crawling all over the walls. They believe they are at home and begin calling for their mother. The nurse should recognize that the client is experiencing which of the following stages of alcohol withdrawal?

A. Stage 2 (moderate): In this stage of alcohol withdrawal, symptoms may include increased anxiety, tremors, and elevated vital signs, but hallucinations and severe disorientation are not typically present. The client's current condition exceeds the expectations of moderate withdrawal, indicating a more severe level. B. Stage 1 (mild): Mild withdrawal symptoms are generally characterized by anxiety, insomnia, and mild tremors. The presence of hallucinations, significant changes in vital signs, and severe disorientation suggests that the client is experiencing more than just mild withdrawal symptoms. C. Stage 3 (severe): Severe alcohol withdrawal is characterized by the presence of hallucinations, severe agitation, confusion, and autonomic instability, as indicated by the client's elevated blood pressure and heart rate. The client’s experience of seeing spiders and disorientation about their location indicates severe withdrawal, which may lead to complications like delirium tremens if not properly managed. D. The client's manifestations indicate a psychotic disorder instead of alcohol withdrawal: While hallucinations can be indicative of a psychotic disorder, the context of recent alcohol use and the accompanying withdrawal symptoms strongly suggest that the client is experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal rather than a separate psychotic disorder.