Question

A client is admitted to the hospital with cirrhosis of the liver caused by long-term alcohol misuse. Which is the best response by the nurse when the client says, I really don't believe that my drinking a couple of beers a day has anything to do with my liver problem?

A. You find it hard to believe that beer can hurt the liver.
B. How long is it that you have been drinking several beers a day?
C. Each beer is equivalent to one shot of liquor, so it's just as damaging to the liver as hard liquor.
D. Do you believe that beer is not harmful even though research shows that it is just as bad for you as hard liquor?

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client that each beer has the same amount of alcohol as one shot of liquor, thus equally affecting the liver. Chronic drinking leads to cirrhosis, affecting both liver and kidney health.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse when the client says, "I really don't believe that my drinking a couple of beers a day has anything to do with my liver problem," would be C. "Each beer is equivalent to one shot of liquor, so it's just as damaging to the liver as hard liquor." This response directly addresses the misconception while providing factual information about the equivalence of alcohol content in beer and hard liquor. It is important for the client to understand that chronic alcohol consumption, whether it be from beer or hard liquor, can lead to cirrhosis and other liver diseases as well as affecting the kidneys. Alcohol abuse over an extended period can cause long-lasting damage to the body's excretory system, including impairments in kidney function and potential for conditions like acute kidney injury and hospitalization. The liver's crucial role in detoxifying substances and the interconnected health of the liver and the kidneys is significant and must not be underestimated, even with what seems like moderate daily drinking.