A nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with acute pancreatitis related to heavy, daily alcohol consumption. The client reports their last alcoholic beverage was approximately 14 hours ago. During morning rounds, the client is pacing the room continuously, appears highly anxious, and repeatedly demands to leave the facility against medical advice. Current vital signs reveal a heart rate of 112 bpm, blood pressure of 148/92 mm Hg, and mild diaphoresis. Which action is the priority for the nurse to implement?
- Administer the prescribed as-needed dose of a benzodiazepine.Cevap
- BInitiate an open-ended dialogue to explore why the client wishes to leave.
- CDirect the unlicensed assistive personnel to stay in the room and closely monitor behavior.
- DRequest a prescription for bilateral soft wrist restraints to prevent elopement.
Cevap
The priority action is to administer the prescribed as-needed dose of a benzodiazepine.
The client is exhibiting classic early manifestations of acute alcohol withdrawal, including psychomotor agitation (pacing), anxiety, tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis. These symptoms typically begin 6 to 24 hours after the cessation of heavy alcohol use. The priority nursing action is to administer a cross-tolerant central nervous system depressant, such as a benzodiazepine, to manage the autonomic hyperactivity, prevent the progression to withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens, and safely reduce the client's severe agitation.
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Anahtar Kavram
Recognition and pharmacological management of acute alcohol withdrawal