A homebound patient drinks a six-pack of beer daily.The patient tells the nurse,"I've been having pain from my arthritis lately,so I take acetaminophen four times a day." The nurse's priority interventions include: (Select all that apply. )

Question

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The nurse should be concerned with the patient's use of alcohol and acetaminophen because the toxicity of acetaminophen is enhanced by alcohol and by the age-related decrease in clearance.The nurse must determine whether the acetaminophen dose is within safe limits or is excessive and provide this information to the patient.Next,the nurse must provide health education regarding the danger of combined use of acetaminophen and alcohol.The patient will likely need to discontinue alcohol or consult the health care provider about another analgesic that is less hepatotoxic.Additional acetaminophen would cause greater liver damage.Dementia is not suggested by the scenario.

A Homebound Patient Drinks a Six-Pack of Beer Daily