Question

Two days after admission for a fractured wrist from a fall while intoxicated, a male client with a history of mental illness and alcohol abuse becomes anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. His vital signs are temperature 99.6 °F (37.6 °C), heart rate 112 beats/minute, respirations 26 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 190/108. He tells the nurse that bugs are crawling in his bed. Which prescription should the nurse administer?

a. Buspirone.
b. Codeine.
c. Chlordiazepoxide.
d. Risperidone.

Answer 1

The client is likely experiencing delirium tremens from alcohol withdrawal, and the best medication to administer is chlordiazepoxide. This medication is suitable for treating the symptoms of withdrawal, such as agitation, hallucinations, and hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the question suggest that the male client is experiencing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, known as delirium tremens (DTs), characterized by severe agitation, confusion, hallucinations (bugs crawling in the bed), hypertension, and tachycardia. Considering his history of alcohol abuse and mental illness, an appropriate medication to manage these acute symptoms would be chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal because they help to reduce the hyperactivity of the central nervous system that occurs during withdrawal.

The client's vital signs indicate a heightened physiological state, which aligns with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. In this case, administering chlordiazepoxide will help with anxiety, agitation, and the autonomic hyperactivity (increased heart rate and blood pressure), providing a sedative and calming effect to address his withdrawal symptoms effectively.