Medication for Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
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Nurse Stacy is caring for Mr. Moore, who is in acute alcohol withdrawal. She should anticipate the provider will prescribe which of the following medications?
A) Lorazepam (Ativan)
B) Lithium carbonate (Lithobid)
C) Diazepam (Valium)
D) Paroxetine (Paxil)
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Hello! Let's solve this nursing pharmacology question together. We're asked to identify which medication a provider would likely prescribe for a patient in acute alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol Withdrawal Management
To solve this, we need to understand the pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal and the therapeutic goals. Let me highlight the key patient condition.
Goal: Prevent seizures, delirium tremens, and stabilize vital signs.
In acute withdrawal, the central nervous system becomes overexcited because the inhibitory effects of alcohol are suddenly removed. The gold standard treatment involves benzodiazepines.
Now, let's look at our options. Option one is Lorazepam, also known as Ativan. This is a benzodiazepine and is frequently used, especially for patients with liver impairment.
| Option | Medication Class | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Lorazepam | Benzodiazepine | **Withdrawal, Anxiety** |
Option two is Lithium carbonate. This is a mood stabilizer used primarily for bipolar disorder, not acute alcohol withdrawal.
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