A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. Which of the following is an expected finding?
Explanation & Rationale
A. A normal oxygen saturation is typically 95–100%. While chronic alcohol use can contribute to respiratory problems, a low oxygen saturation is not a common expected finding in alcohol use disorder unless there is a coexisting pulmonary condition. B. Clients with alcohol use disorder often have anemia due to poor nutrition, chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, or alcohol’s toxic effect on the bone marrow. A hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL indicates mild to moderate anemia, which is an expected laboratory finding in this population. C. A BMI of 24 is within the normal range (18.5–24.9). Clients with alcohol use disorder often experience malnutrition or altered body composition, so a normal BMI is not typically expected; underweight status or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are more common.