Question

PN 200 Fundamentals of Nursing II Alcohol Use - Dependency LM., a 57 year old man, is admitted to the surgical unit in preparation for back surgery after conventional treatment for a recent back injury has not relieved his pain. His wife tells the nurse that she hopes that the surgery will be successful. She confides that her husband as just been sitting around the house, drinking more beer than usual, because he has not been able t work. LM appears relaxed and unconcerned about his upcoming surgery. He jokes with the nurse, telling her that his back would be cured if "a cute young thing like her, would rub his back." 1. What assessments of LM's alcohol use should the nurse make and communicate to the surgeon and anesthesiologist before he is further prepared for surgery? 2. How would the nurse's approximation of L.Mt's BAC (blood alcohol conterat) affect his surgical experience? During LM's postoperative period, when will the nurse expect signs of withdrawal syndrome to occur being sure to include your rationale for your answer? 3. What early signs and symptoms would alert the nurse to the development of withdrawal syndrome? 4. 5. What drug regimens might be used during LMt's postoperative period to manage problems associated with his alcohol use? 6. Prepare a list of medications that could be used if M:. LM went into acute alcohol withdrawal Reviewed 12/18

Answer 1

1. The assessment that the nurse will communicate about LM to the surgeon and anesthetist is that his alcohol intake has increased than before and that in the affect of that he is relaxed and unconcerned about the surgery and cracking jokes in a subconscious state .

2. If blood alcohol content is more than the upper limit ,the surgery will be withheld because surgery needs anesthesia and having alcohol and anesthesia together will suppress the vital function and may lead to fatal complications .

3. The nurse will expect alcohol withdrawal when LM's anesthesia affect gets off ,because he won't be allowed to drink and also the left affect of anesthesia will also get off and he will start showing sign and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

4. Early signature and symptoms of alcohol withdraw are :-

- anxiety

- anorexia

- insomnia

- tremors

- hyperactivity

- irritability

- shaking inside

- hallucinations

- illusion

- nausea and vomiting

- increased temperature

- tachycardia

- hypertension