Question

A 55-year-old man is admitted to the critical care unit with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy identifies esophageal varices, but bleeding continues despite sclerosing. The physician inserts a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The family tells you that the patient has a long history of alcohol use, drinking about one-half of a fifth of Jack Daniels every day. Which of the following are early indications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome for which the nurse should monitor?

A. Diaphoresis, pruritus
B. Marked tachycardia, marked hypertension
C. Hyperthermia, dehydration
D. Delirium, hallucinations

Answer 1

Early symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome include marked tachycardia, marked hypertension, diaphoresis, hallucinations, and hyperthermia, which appear due to the nervous system's hyperactivity after alcohol cessation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The early indications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome for which a nurse should monitor include marked tachycardia (rapid heart rate), marked hypertension (high blood pressure), diaphoresis (excessive sweating), delirium, hallucinations, and hyperthermia (high body temperature).

These symptoms can appear as early as a few hours after the last drink and are due to the central nervous system being hyperactive as a result of the lack of alcohol.

Additionally, since this person is in a critical care setting and has a history of significant alcohol use, withdrawal can progress to more serious conditions, such as seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), which require immediate medical attention.