Question

A patient with a history of daily alcohol abuse was hospitalized at 0200 today. When would the nurse expect withdrawal symptoms to peak?

a. Between 0800 and 1000 today (6 to 8 hours after drinking stopped)
b. Between 0200 tomorrow and hospital day 2 (24 to 48 hours after drinking stopped)
c. About 0200 on hospital day 3 (72 hours after drinking stopped)
d. About 0200 on hospital day 4 (96 hours after drinking stopped)

Answer 1

The nurse would expect withdrawal symptoms to peak about 0200 on hospital day 3 (72 hours after drinking stopped). Hence. option C is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would expect withdrawal symptoms to peak about 0200 on hospital day 3 (72 hours after drinking stopped).

Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol abuse usually begin within 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peak around 48 to 72 hours. Since the patient was hospitalized at 0200 today, the nurse would anticipate the peak of withdrawal symptoms around 0200 on hospital day 3.