Final answer:
Individuals taking disulfiram (Antabuse) must avoid alcohol-based products to prevent the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body, which causes adverse reactions. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
While on disulfiram (Antabuse), the client must stay away from alcohol-based products. Disulfiram inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, preventing the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetic acid.
As a result, when ethanol is consumed, the resulting accumulation of acetaldehyde leads to unpleasant effects such as flushing, nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, and low blood pressure, which are meant to deter the individual from consuming alcohol. Avoiding alcohol-based products ensures that none of this substance enters the body and triggers these adverse reactions.
It is also interesting to note that in cases of methanol poisoning, ethanol can be used therapeutically. Ethanol competes with methanol for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, therefore, by administering ethanol, methanol is excreted from the body before it can convert into poisonous methanal, which can cause tissue damage and blindness.