Substance Use And Withdrawal Care
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NCLEX-RN › Substance Use And Withdrawal Care
A 50-year-old client admitted for surgery has a history of alcohol use disorder and last drank 36 hours ago. The client is confused, has severe tremors, and is pulling at intravenous lines; vital signs: temperature 38.1°C (100.6°F), heart rate 134/min, blood pressure 190/112 mm Hg, respiratory rate 28/min; mental status: disoriented with visual hallucinations; labs: potassium 3.0 mEq/L (normal 3.5–5.0). Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY?
Provide extensive education about Alcoholics Anonymous meeting schedules
Place the client on continuous cardiac and pulse oximetry monitoring, initiate seizure precautions, and administer prescribed benzodiazepine per protocol
Collect a detailed dietary recall to address electrolyte abnormalities
Request a prescription for nicotine gum to address restlessness
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, addressing delirium tremens in alcohol withdrawal. The priority concern is the client's confusion, severe tremors, hallucinations, fever, tachycardia, hypertension, and hypokalemia, indicating high mortality risk. Placing on monitoring, seizure precautions, and administering benzodiazepines is the best choice as it stabilizes autonomic hyperactivity, referencing vital signs and disorientation. AA education is long-term; nicotine gum irrelevant; dietary recall secondary. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is aggressive symptom management to prevent seizures and cardiovascular collapse. Electrolyte replacement supports recovery. A transferable nursing strategy is to orient frequently and reduce stimuli in hallucinating clients.
A 40-year-old client admitted for abdominal pain has a history of alcohol use disorder and last drank 6 hours ago. The client is anxious with mild tremors; vital signs: heart rate 102/min, blood pressure 150/86 mm Hg; mental status: oriented; labs: glucose 56 mg/dL (normal 70–110). Which assessment finding requires IMMEDIATE attention?
Mild tremors and anxiety
History of alcohol use disorder
Blood pressure 150/86 mm Hg
Glucose 56 mg/dL (normal 70–110)
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, addressing acute complications in alcohol use disorder. The priority concern is the client's anxiety, mild tremors, tachycardia, hypertension, and hypoglycemia, with risk for seizures or altered mental status. The glucose of 56 mg/dL requires immediate attention as alcoholics are prone to hypoglycemia, exacerbating withdrawal. Tremors and anxiety are expected; blood pressure elevated but secondary; history not acute. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is correcting metabolic derangements promptly. Glucose administration follows thiamine to prevent encephalopathy. A transferable nursing strategy is to check blood glucose routinely in withdrawing clients and treat per protocol.
A 52-year-old client admitted for pancreatitis reports drinking “a fifth of vodka daily” for years and had the last drink 10 hours ago. The client is diaphoretic and anxious with coarse tremors, nausea, and insomnia; vital signs: temperature 37.2°C (99.0°F), heart rate 118/min, blood pressure 176/98 mm Hg, respiratory rate 22/min, oxygen saturation 97% on room air; mental status: oriented but restless and easily startled; labs: magnesium 1.3 mg/dL (normal 1.7–2.2), potassium 3.2 mEq/L (normal 3.5–5.0). Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY for this client?
Request a prescription for disulfiram and provide medication teaching
Administer naloxone and prepare for rapid sequence intubation
Institute seizure precautions and administer the prescribed benzodiazepine per alcohol-withdrawal protocol
Obtain a detailed timeline of alcohol intake and complete a full substance-use screening tool
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, specifically recognizing and managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The priority concern is the client's symptoms of diaphoresis, anxiety, tremors, nausea, insomnia, tachycardia, hypertension, and electrolyte imbalances, indicating severe alcohol withdrawal with risk for seizures and delirium tremens. Instituting seizure precautions and administering benzodiazepines per protocol is the best choice because the client's elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and low magnesium and potassium levels increase seizure risk, requiring immediate stabilization. Requesting disulfiram is incorrect as it is for aversion therapy post-detox, not acute withdrawal; obtaining a timeline is important but not immediate; naloxone is for opioids, not alcohol, which is a common misconception in mixed substance cases. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is to prioritize physiological stability and prevent life-threatening complications like seizures or cardiovascular events. Additionally, electrolyte correction and thiamine administration are essential to avoid Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. A transferable nursing strategy is to use standardized tools like CIWA-Ar for ongoing assessment and symptom-triggered interventions in withdrawal management.
A 36-year-old client on a psychiatric unit has a history of methamphetamine use and has not slept for 2 days. The client is diaphoretic, has jaw clenching, and is yelling that staff are “trying to poison me”; vital signs: temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F), heart rate 140/min, blood pressure 174/110 mm Hg, respiratory rate 28/min; mental status: paranoid, escalating agitation; labs: potassium 4.0 mEq/L (normal 3.5–5.0). Which assessment finding requires IMMEDIATE attention?
Temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F) with severe agitation and tachycardia
Report of not sleeping for 2 days
Potassium 4.0 mEq/L within normal range
Client statement that staff are “trying to poison me”
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, identifying critical signs in stimulant intoxication. The priority concern is the client's insomnia, diaphoresis, jaw clenching, paranoia, fever, tachycardia, and hypertension, signaling severe toxicity. The temperature of 38.6°C with agitation and tachycardia requires immediate attention as it indicates hyperthermia and risk for cardiac arrhythmia or rhabdomyolysis. Insomnia is expected; normal potassium is not urgent; paranoia is concerning but secondary to vital sign instability. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is to address hyperadrenergic crises promptly to prevent organ damage. Cooling measures and benzodiazepines may be needed. A transferable nursing strategy is to monitor for dehydration and electrolyte shifts in prolonged stimulant use.
A 60-year-old client admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding has a history of alcohol use disorder and reports the last drink was 18 hours ago. The client is increasingly confused and has visual hallucinations of “bugs on the wall”; vital signs: temperature 38.3°C (100.9°F), heart rate 126/min, blood pressure 188/104 mm Hg, respiratory rate 26/min; mental status: disoriented, severe agitation; labs: sodium 132 mEq/L (normal 135–145). Which assessment finding requires IMMEDIATE attention?
Client reports poor sleep since admission
History of alcohol use disorder for more than 10 years
Sodium 132 mEq/L with mild headache
Blood pressure 188/104 mm Hg with new-onset hallucinations and disorientation
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, specifically identifying severe alcohol withdrawal complications. The priority concern is the client's confusion, visual hallucinations, agitation, fever, tachycardia, hypertension, and hyponatremia, suggesting delirium tremens. The blood pressure of 188/104 mm Hg with hallucinations requires immediate attention as it indicates autonomic hyperactivity and risk for stroke or seizures. Mild hyponatremia with headache is less urgent; long history is a risk factor but not acute; poor sleep is common but not critical. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is to recognize escalating symptoms like delirium for prompt intervention. Benzodiazepines and supportive care are key to prevent mortality. A transferable nursing strategy is to monitor vital signs frequently and use scales like CIWA-Ar to guide treatment in withdrawal.
A 31-year-old client is brought to the emergency department after suspected fentanyl use. The client is cyanotic with respiratory rate 5/min, oxygen saturation 80% on room air, heart rate 58/min, blood pressure 104/60 mm Hg; pupils are pinpoint; mental status: unresponsive to voice. Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY for this client?
Place the client in a low-stimulation environment and encourage sleep
Obtain consent for substance-use treatment and initiate referral paperwork
Administer naloxone per protocol and provide ventilatory support while preparing for possible repeat dosing
Start intravenous fluids at a keep-vein-open rate and wait for the provider to evaluate the client
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, responding to opioid overdose. The priority concern is the client's cyanosis, bradypnea, hypoxia, bradycardia, hypotension, pinpoint pupils, and unresponsiveness, indicating severe respiratory depression. Administering naloxone with ventilatory support is the best choice as it reverses effects quickly, addressing the low saturation and rate. IV fluids alone ignore reversal; consent delays emergency care; low stimulation is insufficient for apnea. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is rapid antidote administration in life-threatening overdoses. Preparation for intubation may be needed if no response. A transferable nursing strategy is to train laypersons in naloxone use for community overdose prevention.
A 45-year-old client admitted for cellulitis has a history of alcohol use disorder and last drank 24 hours ago. The client is tremulous and anxious; vital signs: heart rate 108/min, blood pressure 154/88 mm Hg, respiratory rate 20/min, oxygen saturation 98% on room air; mental status: oriented; labs: magnesium 1.4 mg/dL (normal 1.7–2.2). Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY to reduce risk of complications?
Request an order for naloxone to keep at the bedside for withdrawal symptoms
Obtain a detailed family history of substance use disorders
Administer thiamine as prescribed before giving glucose-containing fluids or nutrition
Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway to reduce anxiety
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, preventing complications in alcohol withdrawal. The priority concern is the client's tremors, anxiety, tachycardia, hypertension, and hypomagnesemia, with risk for Wernicke's encephalopathy. Administering thiamine before glucose is the best choice as it prevents neurological damage, supported by the vital signs and low magnesium. Ambulation increases fall risk; family history is not immediate; naloxone is for opioids. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is nutritional supplementation to counter deficiencies from chronic alcohol use. Benzodiazepines address symptoms separately. A transferable nursing strategy is to routinely give thiamine, folate, and multivitamins in alcohol use disorder admissions.
A 39-year-old client on a psychiatric unit has a history of methamphetamine use and is now refusing care, shouting, and throwing objects. Vital signs: heart rate 128/min, blood pressure 160/96 mm Hg, respiratory rate 22/min, oxygen saturation 98% on room air; mental status: alert, hostile, paranoid; labs: none yet. What is the FIRST action the nurse should take for this client?
Ask security to apply restraints immediately without further assessment
Offer nicotine patch therapy to reduce agitation
Attempt verbal de-escalation, ensure adequate staff support, and maintain a safe distance with an exit route
Complete a full head-to-toe physical assessment before addressing behavior
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, de-escalating stimulant-induced agitation. The priority concern is the client's refusal of care, shouting, throwing objects, tachycardia, hypertension, hostility, and paranoia, posing safety risks. Attempting verbal de-escalation with staff support and safe positioning is the best choice as it prevents escalation, per the vital signs and behavior. Immediate restraints bypass least-restrictive options; full assessment risks safety; nicotine patch is unrelated. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is non-confrontational approaches in psychotic states. Medications like antipsychotics may follow if needed. A transferable nursing strategy is to document behaviors and interventions for legal protection in behavioral crises.
A 44-year-old client in a community clinic reports quitting smoking 1 week ago after smoking 1.5 packs/day for 25 years. The client reports cravings and weight gain; vital signs: blood pressure 128/80 mm Hg, heart rate 78/min; mental status: motivated but frustrated; labs: none abnormal. Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY?
Request a prescription for benzodiazepines to prevent relapse
Institute seizure precautions for the first 72 hours after quitting nicotine
Teach coping strategies for cravings and offer nicotine replacement therapy options such as patch plus short-acting gum or lozenge
Administer naloxone and observe for withdrawal symptoms
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, supporting sustained nicotine cessation. The priority concern is the client's cravings and weight gain one week post-quitting heavy smoking, with motivation but frustration. Teaching coping strategies and offering combined NRT is the best choice as it addresses symptoms and prevents relapse, per the stable vital signs. Naloxone is for opioids; seizure precautions unnecessary for nicotine; benzodiazepines inappropriate. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is multimodal therapy for addiction management. Behavioral techniques like exercise help with weight concerns. A transferable nursing strategy is to follow up regularly and adjust plans based on progress.
A 28-year-old client presents to the emergency department after opioid use; the client is awake but very sleepy. Vital signs: respiratory rate 10/min, oxygen saturation 91% on room air, heart rate 66/min, blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg; pupils are pinpoint; mental status: responds to voice. Which intervention should the nurse implement IMMEDIATELY?
Apply supplemental oxygen, stimulate the client, and prepare to administer naloxone per protocol if respirations decline further
Provide counseling about medication-assisted treatment options and schedule follow-up appointments
Request a prescription for nicotine patch to reduce sedation
Obtain a comprehensive social history including housing and employment
Explanation
This question tests nursing interventions and clinical judgment related to substance use, preventing progression in opioid intoxication. The priority concern is the client's sleepiness, bradypnea, hypoxia, bradycardia, pinpoint pupils, and responsiveness only to voice, risking full overdose. Applying oxygen, stimulating, and preparing naloxone is the best choice as it maintains ventilation, per the low rate and saturation. Counseling is later; social history non-urgent; nicotine patch irrelevant. The underlying principle of care in substance use scenarios is early intervention to avoid respiratory arrest. Stimulation techniques like sternal rub can temporize. A transferable nursing strategy is to teach harm reduction, like not using alone, to prevent overdoses.