Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Substance use disorders
NCLEX: A 31-year-old client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment…
Psychiatric / mental health nursing Psychosocial Integrity
Case Study
A 31-year-old client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment data include the client states, "I don't want to live anymore" and has a plan with access to means. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?
Question
A. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
B. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
C. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."
D. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
B. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
C. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."
D. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
Rationale
Correct answer: D. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.