In response to a question regarding the use of alcohol, a patient asks the nurse why the nurse needs to know. What is the reason for needing this information?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol adversely interacts with all medications and is a factor in many social problems such as child or sexual abuse, automobile accidents, and assaults; alcohol also contributes to many illnesses and disease processes. Therefore, assessing for signs of hazardous alcohol use is important. The other options are not correct. Determining a person's alcohol use is important information whether a drinking problem is obvious or not. The reason for needing information about a person's alcohol use is not to determine their reliability or for the nurse to teach the patient about the dangers of alcohol use. Instead the reason is that alcohol adversely interacts with all medications and is a factor in many social problems such as child or sexual abuse, automobile accidents, and assaults; alcohol also contributes to many illnesses and disease processes. Therefore, assessing for signs of hazardous alcohol use is important.

In Response to a Question Regarding the Use of Alcohol