A patient with heavy alcohol use becomes tremulous, sweaty, anxious, and reports seeing insects on the wall. What is the priority nursing action?
Correct answer: B. Institute seizure precautions and notify the provider
- A. Place the patient in a brightly lit activity room
- B. Institute seizure precautions and notify the provider
- C. Encourage the patient to walk to reduce anxiety
- D. Tell the patient that the visual experiences are imaginary
Explanation
Tremor, autonomic overactivity, and hallucinations can indicate severe alcohol withdrawal, which may progress to seizures and delirium. Seizure precautions, close observation, and prescribed withdrawal treatment are safer than confrontation or stimulation.
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About Psychiatric Emergencies
Psychiatric emergencies include suicidal behavior, homicide risk, severe agitation, panic, acute psychosis, delirium, overdose, and withdrawal states. Students examine rapid risk assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, environmental safety, emergency medication, observation levels, and the immediate priorities that differ from routine psychiatric nursing care.
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