Final answer:
Clients prescribed disulfiram for alcoholism treatment should avoid all alcohol, as the medication causes accumulation of acetaldehyde leading to unpleasant symptoms that deter drinking. Client teaching must emphasize complete abstinence and the necessity of medical supervision for alcohol withdrawal.
Step-by-step explanation:
A client has been prescribed disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism, and they need to understand how this medication works and the precautions they need to take. Disulfiram inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for converting acetaldehyde—a byproduct of alcohol metabolism—to acetic acid. When someone taking disulfiram consumes alcohol, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, leading to very unpleasant effects including flushing, nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, and low blood pressure. These symptoms serve as a deterrent to drinking alcohol.
Client teaching should reinforce the importance of abstaining from all forms of alcohol, including those found in some sauces, medications, and personal care products. Additionally, clients should be informed that they should only withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision due to potentially life-threatening risks associated with withdrawal from high doses of alcohol and/or barbiturates.