The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client whose urine drug screen is positive for cocaine. Which behavior is this client likely to exhibit during cocaine withdrawal?

A. Euphoria: Euphoria occurs during the intoxication phase of cocaine use, not during withdrawal. When actively using cocaine, individuals experience intense pleasure and heightened mood due to dopamine stimulation, which sharply declines once the drug’s effects wear off. B. High self-esteem: Feelings of inflated self-confidence or grandiosity are common while under the influence of cocaine. However, during withdrawal, individuals typically experience the opposite—low mood, fatigue, and loss of motivation. C. Elevated energy level: Cocaine withdrawal is marked by exhaustion, hypersomnia, and lethargy as the body compensates for the previous overstimulation. Elevated energy levels occur during intoxication, not withdrawal. D. Powerful craving for more: Intense craving for cocaine is a hallmark of withdrawal. As dopamine levels drop, the brain seeks to restore the euphoric state, leading to strong urges to use again, along with fatigue, depression, and irritability.