Final answer:
Before starting disulfiram (Antabuse) therapy, it is crucial to verify abstinence from alcohol for at least 12 hours, provide comprehensive patient education, and ensure the patient is fully informed of the potential reactions that can occur if alcohol is consumed while on the medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most important nursing intervention to implement before Matt starts disulfiram (Antabuse) therapy is to confirm that he has abstained from alcohol for at least 12 hours. Disulfiram is a medication used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to ethanol (drinking alcohol). If alcohol is consumed when taking disulfiram, it leads to a severe and unpleasant reaction which includes symptoms like flushing, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations.
Before administration, it is critical to ensure the patient understands the consequences of drinking alcohol on this medication, which serves as a deterrent to relapse. A thorough assessment of Matt's recent alcohol consumption must be done, as ingesting alcohol prior to the commencement of therapy can trigger these severe reactions even if the medication is taken 12 hours after alcohol consumption.
Therefore, abstinence verification, patient education, and ensuring that the patient is informed of the potential reactions are essential steps prior to initiating disulfiram therapy.