Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 67%
Full-length
An alcoholic client who is completing the inpatient segment of a substance abuse program was placed on disulfiram (Antabuse) drug therapy. What should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
When alcohol is ingested with disulfiram therapy, the client experiences nausea, vomiting, and a potentially serious drop in blood pressure. Disulfiram is most successful when used early in the recovery process while the individual makes major lifestyle changes necessary for long-term recovery. Disulfiram works on the classical conditioning principle. The effects of disulfiram can be felt when alcohol is ingested 1-2 weeks after disulfiram is discontinued.