Final answer:
Nurses should expect symptoms such as weight loss, sweating, increased heart rate, insomnia, pain, and psychological distress during opioid withdrawal. Methadone or buprenorphine may be used to ease these symptoms. Withdrawal should be monitored by healthcare professionals due to the discomfort and psychological challenges it presents.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse should expect various signs and symptoms (S/S) associated with opioid withdrawal that closely resemble a severe case of the flu. Some of the key withdrawal symptoms include weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, insomnia, pain, agitation, and often psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and cravings. To alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal, medications like methadone, which is a synthetic opioid, and buprenorphine are commonly used. Methadone in particular is less likely to produce euphoria than heroin, making it a helpful tool in managing addiction in a controlled setting such as methadone clinics.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms arise because the body has become physically dependent on the substances due to their presence in analgesics, cough suppressants, anti-nausea, and anti-diarrhea medications. Withdrawal is not typically life-threatening but can be highly uncomfortable and psychologically challenging; therefore, it should be monitored by healthcare professionals.
Patient B's symptoms of weight loss, profuse sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty sleeping could be indicative of withdrawal from opioids or another type of substance dependence. Given the current opioid crisis and high rates of addiction, nurses and healthcare providers need to be well-informed to support individuals through the withdrawal process.