Question

LM, a 57-year-old man, is admitted to the surgical unit in preparation for back surgery after conservative treatment for a recent back injury failed to relieve his pain. His wife tells the nurse she hopes the surgery will be successful. She confides that her husband has just been sitting around the house drinking more beer than usual because he has not been able to work. LM appears relaxed and unconcerned about his anticipated surgery. He jokes with the nurse, telling her that he would be cured if “a cute young thing like her would only 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. During LM’s postoperative period, when will the nurse expect signs of withdrawal syndrome to occur?

3. What early signs and symptoms would alert the nurse to the development of withdrawal syndrome?

4. What goal of treatment during LM’s postoperative period is related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Answer 1

1. On the basis of the comment made by Mr LM , the nurse should inform the physician and anesthesiologist that the patient is drunked and is just out of his mind ,is in his subconscious mind.

2. During the postoperative period when the affect of both alcohol and anesthesia is over ,Mr. LM will have the withdrawal symptoms

3. The signs and symtoms of alcohol withdrawal are :-

- anxiety

- irritability

- tremors

- rapid changes of emotions

- fatigue

4. Goal of treatment are :-

- To save the life of the patient

- To relieve the signs and symtoms

- To avoid the use of alcohol

- Treatment for alcohol withdrawal

- To prevent further complications like fall , seizures ,liver disease etc .