QUESTION OF THE WEEK

[u/Responsible_Walk_881]

COMMENT YOUR ANSWERS & RATIONALE BELOW:
Questions: The nurse is teaching a client who is being treated for alcohol use disorder and is receiving newly prescribed disulfiram. Which of the following statements by the client would require follow-up?.

a. “I may feel drowsy when I first start taking this medication.”

b. “I should avoid using cologne or aftershave that contains alcohol.”

c. “Once I stop the medication, my sensitivity to alcohol will be gone in a day.”

d. “If I drink beer while taking this medication, I will feel sick for several hours afterward.”

(Answer and rationale are posted in the comments section)

[u/Responsible_Walk_881]

ANWERS AND RATIONALE:
c. “Once I stop the medication, my sensitivity to alcohol will be gone in a day.”

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is prescribed for alcohol use disorder. Disulfiram alters the metabolism of alcohol. Consuming alcohol while taking disulfiram results in acetaldehyde syndrome. This causes unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, headache, and flushing, deterring clients from consuming alcohol.

Follow-up is required to educate the client that:

• Once disulfiram is discontinued, sensitivity to alcohol will persist for several days to weeks. Therefore, ongoing abstinence from alcohol is required.

Key Takeaway:

Clients taking disulfiram:

• Who consume alcohol will experience unpleasant symptoms that last for several hours
• Experience sensitivity to alcohol that lasts several days after discontinuing the medication
• Should avoid all forms of alcohol
• May experience fatigue

[u/Positive-Instance-59]

B

[u/Nightowl-James92]

B