Question

After a long history of intravenous heroin use, a client has expressed willingness to stop using heroin. The nurse would expect the client to receive which medication to decrease the severity of withdrawal?

A. Methadone.
B. Gabapentin.
C. Amphetamines.
D. Ondansetron.

Answer 1

To decrease the severity of heroin withdrawal, a nurse would expect a client to receive methadone. It alleviates opiate withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings, aiding in the recovery process.

Step-by-step explanation:

After a long history of intravenous heroin use, a client has expressed willingness to stop using heroin. To decrease the severity of withdrawal, the nurse would expect the client to receive methadone. Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is less euphorigenic than heroin but can help manage the withdrawal symptoms effectively. It is commonly used in the treatment of heroin addiction because it can alleviate symptoms of opiate withdrawal and reduce cravings without creating addiction itself.

Withdrawal from heroin often involves symptoms that resemble a severe case of the flu and, while not life-threatening, can be extremely unpleasant. Methadone clinics provide a controlled environment where people struggling with opioid addiction can receive the medication to help in their recovery process.