During a report, a nurse hears about a patient who was admitted at 8 PM after an automobile accident. He had a blood alcohol level of 100 mg/dl at the time of admission. During the 8 AM assessment, the nurse notes that the patient is having hand tremors, is sweaty, is slightly agitated, and complains of nausea. The nurse recognizes that the patient may be exhibiting signs of which disorder?
A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
B) Delirium tremens
C) Panic
D) Delirium

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The history and laboratory data reflect alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Early manifestations of alcohol withdrawal include hand tremors, sweating, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and agitation. These manifestations begin 6 to 24 hours after the patient's last drink, peak in 24 to 36 hours, and end after 48 hours of abstinence. The time sequence is not consistent with delirium tremens. During delirium tremens, a patient experiences cardiac dysrhythmias, hypertension, increased respirations, profuse sweating, delusion, and hallucinations. The history is not consistent with panic disorder. In the panic level of anxiety, a person experiences manifestations of anxiety that represent sympathetic nervous system stimulation, as well as muscle tension, tachycardia, dyspnea, hypertension, increased respiration, and profuse perspiration. Manifestations of delirium include attention deficits, disorganized thinking, confusion, disorientation, restlessness, incoherence, anxiety, excitement, and, at times, illusions.

During a Report, a Nurse Hears About a Patient Who