Question

A large mental health facility has several specialized units. A patient admitted for alcohol withdrawal asks, "Will I be with patients who have schizophrenia or dementia while I'm here?" Select the nurse's best answer.

a. "No. Patients with alcoholism often become violent and must be isolated from our general psychiatric population."
b. "No. Patients with needs for alcohol detoxification are treated on our acute substance abuse unit."
c. "Yes. Our patients often help each other, so they are all on the same unit."
d. "Your question leads me to wonder if you're feeling frightened."

Answer 1

Patients undergoing alcohol detoxification are treated in specialized acute substance abuse units, separate from those with schizophrenia or dementia, ensuring targeted care for each condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's concern about whether they will share facilities with patients who have schizophrenia or dementia is valid. The nurse's best answer would be: "No. Patients with needs for alcohol detoxification are treated on our acute substance abuse unit." This response addresses the patient's query directly and accurately, explaining that specialized units within the facility cater to particular types of mental health conditions. It's important for facilities to manage individuals with diverse needs effectively, such as those going through alcohol withdrawal, which can be life-threatening and requires medical supervision, or those with schizophrenia, which involves complex treatment including antipsychotic medications and therapy. Thus, proper segregation of patients is essential for targeted care and recovery.