Chapter 38: Drug Abuse II: Alcohol

Chapter 38: Drug Abuse II: Alcohol

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

1. A nurse is teaching a patient who drinks alcohol in excess. When the patient asks the nurse about the effect of chronic alcohol use on the heart, the nurse’s best response would be which of the following statements?

a.	“Alcohol has little effect on the heart. You should be more concerned about your liver.”
b.	“Heart failure is a major problem that develops in patients who use excessive alcohol.”
c.	“Excessive alcohol use can lower your blood pressure.”
d.	“Drinking more than two drinks a day has been shown to protect the heart from atherosclerosis.”

 

 

ANS:   B

Chronic abuse of alcohol results in direct damage to the myocardium, increasing the risk of heart failure.

Chronic alcohol abuse has a significant effect on the heart and also affects the liver.

Excessive alcohol does not predispose a patient to hypotension.

Drinking fewer than two alcoholic beverages a day has been shown to potentially protect the heart from atherosclerosis.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 411

TOP:    Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

 

2. A patient presents to the clinic at 0900 with an unsteady gait and slurred speech. During the health history, the patient admits to consuming a case of beer every day for 7 years but denies being an alcoholic. Which of the following medications that the patient is taking would concern the nurse the most?

a.	Antacids daily
b.	Antihistamines daily
c.	Acetaminophen daily
d.	Stool softener daily

 

 

ANS:   C

Chronic use of alcohol may lead to cirrhosis; concurrent use of acetaminophen is contraindicated, because taking more than 4 g a day may lead to hepatotoxicity, and the liver may already be compromised.

Antacids, antihistamines, and stool softeners are not contraindicated with chronic alcohol use.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 414

TOP:    Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

 

3. A nurse is teaching a community education class about the difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. Which of the following statements best confirms that a participant understands the difference?

a.	“The major difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse is the amount of alcohol consumed.”
b.	“The major difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse is the presence of craving.”
c.	“The major difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse is that in abuse, alcohol is consumed in excess.”
d.	“The major difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse is tolerance and withdrawal.”

 

 

ANS:   D

Alcohol dependence is chronic use of alcohol that produces physical dependence, for which a withdrawal syndrome occurs if alcohol is discontinued abruptly.

Chronic consumption of alcohol produces tolerance. The amount of alcohol consumed determines the extent of abuse, not the difference between dependence and abuse.

The presence of craving has to do with psychological abuse.

Consumption of alcohol in excess involves both alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                  REF:    pp. 414-415

TOP:    Nursing Process: Evaluation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential