The nurse is teaching a client about the initiation of a prescribed abstinence therapy using disulfiram. Which information should the client provide to acknowledge understanding?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Attending Alcoholics Anonymous supports recovery but is not specific to disulfiram’s mechanism or initiation requirements. Remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours prevents adverse reactions, directly relating to disulfiram’s use, making this incorrect for demonstrating understanding of the medication’s requirements.Choice B reason: Disulfiram causes severe reactions if alcohol is consumed, so remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours before the first dose is critical to avoid adverse effects. This demonstrates understanding of safe initiation, aligning with pharmacotherapy guidelines, making it the correct choice for client education.Choice C reason: Admitting substance abuse is part of recovery but unrelated to disulfiram’s pharmacological requirements. Avoiding alcohol for 12 hours before starting is essential for safety, making this incorrect, as it does not reflect understanding of disulfiram’s specific administration protocol.Choice D reason: Abstaining from heroin or cocaine is irrelevant to disulfiram, which targets alcohol use. Remaining alcohol-free for 12 hours addresses disulfiram’s alcohol-specific reaction, making this incorrect, as it does not demonstrate understanding of the medication’s purpose or initiation requirements.