Final answer:
A nurse should expect symptoms such as Rhinorrhea and Diaphoresis when assessing a patient with opioid withdrawal. These symptoms reflect the body's response to the lack of opioids. Methadone is prescribed to individuals with heroin addiction to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a patient experiencing opioid withdrawal, a nurse should expect to observe several symptoms that are typically opposite to the effects of the drug. These can include Rhinorrhea (runny nose) and Diaphoresis (sweating), which are indicative of the body's response to the absence of the opioid. Other common symptoms are insomnia and tremors, reflecting the central nervous system's reaction to withdrawal. Thus, the correct answer is b) Rhinorrhea and Diaphoresis, as well as supplemental symptoms including insomnia and tremors. These are all signs that the body is trying to adjust to the lack of opioid influence.
Individuals with a heroin addiction may be prescribed methadone because it is a synthetic opioid that can help manage withdrawal symptoms without causing the euphoria associated with heroin. It acts by reducing cravings and can make the withdrawal process less severe, allowing patients to potentially engage in therapy and recovery more effectively.