Page 2304 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

D. Interventions

1. Provide care in a nonjudgmental manner.
2. Check the client frequently.
3. Monitor vital signs and neurological signs (every 15
minutes) and provide one-to-one supervision.
4. Monitor serum electrolytes, including glucose and
magnesium.
5. Provide a quiet, nonstimulating environment;
encourage a family member (1 at a time) to stay with
the client to minimize anxiety.
6. Orient frequently.
7. Explain all treatments and procedures in a quiet and
simple manner.
8. Initiate seizure precautions.
9. Large amounts of benzodiazepine sedatives may be
required to achieve adequate control of symtpoms.
10. Provide small, frequent, high-carbohydrate foods
(administer antiemetic before meals as needed).
11. Monitor intake and output.
12. Administer vitamins (multivitamin, vitamin B complex
including thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin C).
13. Administer magnesium if hypomagnesia is present.
14. Assist with activities of daily living and assist with
ambulation if stable.
15. Allow client to express fears.
E. Medication therapy for alcohol misuse and alcohol dependence
1. Description: Medication is prescribed only for those
individuals who have stopped drinking.
2. Naltrexone: Works by blocking in the brain the “high”
feeling that people experience when they drink
alcohol
3. Acamprosate: Works by reducing the physical distress
and emotional discomfort people usually experience
when they quit drinking
4. Disulfiram: Works by causing a severe adverse
reaction when someone taking the medication
consumes alcohol
F. Disulfiram therapy
1. Description
a. The client must abstain from alcohol for
at least 12 hours before the initial dose
is administered.
b. Adverse effects usually begin within
several minutes to 30 minutes after
consuming alcohol and may last 30
minutes to 2 hours.
c. The client must avoid drinking alcohol

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