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    Ati RN Mental Health 2023 - Coker U BSN Proctored Exam

    A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has alcohol use disorder. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

    Explanation & Rationale

    Introduction: Alcohol use disorder involves compulsive ethanol consumption leading to neurochemical adaptations in the brain. Abrupt cessation triggers autonomic hyperactivity, potentially progressing to delirium tremens, which requires immediate pharmacological stabilization to prevent lethal seizures and cardiovascular collapse. A. Disulfiram is an aversion therapy agent, not a withdrawal medication. It inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing a toxic buildup of acetaldehyde if alcohol is consumed. Using it during active withdrawal is dangerous; instead, benzodiazepines are the gold standard for managing acute withdrawal symptoms and preventing seizures or delirium. B. This statement is factually incorrect from a scientific perspective. Extensive clinical research and twin studies have confirmed a strong genetic predisposition for alcohol use disorder. Hereditary factors influence ethanol metabolism and brain reward circuitry, significantly increasing the risk for individuals with a positive family history of addiction. C. Self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, are evidence-based interventions proven to be highly effective for long-term sobriety. These groups provide peer support, accountability, and cognitive restructuring through the 12-step program. Dismissing their effectiveness contradicts standard psychiatric nursing recommendations for comprehensive recovery and relapse prevention planning. D. Coarse tremors are a hallmark early manifestation of alcohol withdrawal, typically appearing within 6 to 12 hr after the last drink. This occurs due to the brain's rebound hyperexcitability after being suppressed by chronic ethanol use. Monitoring for tremors is a critical nursing assessment using the CIWA-Ar scale.

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