Alcohol Withdrawal Case Study (45 min)
You're watching a preview. 300,000+ students are watching the full lesson.
Master
To Master a topic you must score > 80% on the lesson quiz.
Take Quiz
Included In This Lesson
NURSING.com students have a 99.25% NCLEX pass rate.
Outline
The patient is a 45-year-old male who is a “frequent flyer” in the emergency room for abdominal pain. The patient always has a high ETOH level and demands to be given 3 macaroni and cheese dishes, 2 chicken sandwiches and 2 whole milk cartons. Vital signs are as follows:
HR 103
RR 20
BP 125/67
Temp 98.6°F orally
SpO2 98%
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Given that he will be admitted to the hospital for a few days without access to alcohol, what protocol medication needs to be ordered for this patient?
VIEW ANSWER
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
What question needs to be asked in regard to the patient’s alcohol intake?
VIEW ANSWER
The patient reports he drank 2 pints of liquor and a 6-pack of beer tonight. The patient is telling the nurse that he is serious this time and is going to quit drinking for the holidays so that his family will let him come over for Christmas. The patient is slurring his speech and has a history of trying to elope from the hospital.
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
What precautions does the nurse need to set up for this patient?
VIEW ANSWER
The patient has an IV line, labs are drawn and the patient has their meal. The blood alcohol level comes back 395 mg/dL. The nurse knows that the patient will metabolize 100 mg/dL every four hours and that the patient is no longer legally intoxicated once it falls to less than 80 mg/dL.
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
When will this patient likely be no longer legally intoxicated? What is the implication of this time period?
VIEW ANSWER
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
What medications will the doctor likely order for this patient to replace vitamins?
VIEW ANSWER
The patient has been in the hospital for 14 hours now and is no longer legally intoxicated. The vital signs have stabilized and the patient is alert and oriented x4. The patient remains hopeful to stop drinking and is asking for additional help to stay sober.
Critical Thinking Check
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
What medication could be ordered for this patient to help keep him sober?
VIEW ANSWER
200% NCLEX Pass Guarantee.
Critical Thinking CheckBloom's Taxonomy: Application
What education does this patient need in order to be successful on this medication?
VIEW ANSWER
Unlock the Complete Study System
Used by 300,000+ nursing students. 99.25% NCLEX pass rate.
No Contract. Cancel Anytime.
🎉 Special Offer 🎉
Nursing School Doesn't Have To Be So Hard
Go from discouraged and stressed to motivated and passionate
Fall 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Studying
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Cognitive Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Medication Administration
- Depressive Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Developmental Considerations
- Concepts of Mental Health
- Health & Stress
- Psychological Emergencies
- Somatoform Disorders
- Communication
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Emotions and Motivation
- Basics of NCLEX
- Pregnancy Risks
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Basics of Sociology
- Statistics
- Cardiac Disorders
- Lower GI Disorders
- Immunological Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Shock
- Hematologic Disorders
- Vascular Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Respiratory Disorders
- Oncology Disorders
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Respiratory System
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Urinary Disorders
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Urinary System
- Upper GI Disorders
- Renal Disorders
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Hematologic Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Postpartum Care
- Newborn Complications
- EENT Disorders
- Neurological
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Newborn Care
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Postpartum Complications
- Labor and Delivery
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Neurological Trauma
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Labor Complications
- Documentation and Communication
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient
Study Plan Lessons
08.01 Psychological Review for CCRN Review
Addiction – Behavioral Problems Nursing Mnemonic (The 5 D’s)
Albumin Lab Values
Alcohol Withdrawal (Addiction)
Alcohol Withdrawal Case Study (45 min)
Alcoholism – Outcomes Nursing Mnemonic (BAD)
Alprazolam (Xanax) Nursing Considerations
Altered Mental Status- Delirium and Dementia for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Alzheimer – Diagnosis Nursing Mnemonic (The 5 A’s)
Ammonia (NH3) Lab Values
Anorexia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (ANOREXIA)
Antianxiety Meds
Antianxiety Meds
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders (PTSD, Anxiety, Panic Attack) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Atypical Antipsychotics
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines Nursing Mnemonic (Donuts and TLC)
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Lab Values
Bulimia – Signs and Symptoms 1 Nursing Mnemonic (BULIMIA)
Bulimia – Signs and Symptoms 2 Nursing Mnemonic (WASHED)
Buspirone (Buspar) Nursing Considerations
Calcium-Ca (Hypercalcemia, Hypocalcemia)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Nursing Considerations
Chloride-Cl (Hyperchloremia, Hypochloremia)
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) Nursing Considerations
Cholesterol (Chol) Lab Values
Cognitive Impairment Disorders
Creatinine (Cr) Lab Values
Day in the Life of a Hospice, Palliative Care Nurse
Day in the Life of a Mental Health Nurse
Defense Mechanisms
Defense Mechanisms
Dementia Nursing Mnemonic (DEMENTIA)
Depression
Depression Assessment Nursing Mnemonic (SIGNS)
Depression Concept Map
Diazepam (Valium) Nursing Considerations
Disruptive Behaviors, Aggression, Violence for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Dissociative Disorders
Divalproex (Depakote) Nursing Considerations
Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa)
Encephalopathy Case Study (45 min)
End of Life for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
End-of-Life and Palliative Care (Organ and Tissue Donation, Advance Directives, Care Withholding, Family Presence) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Escitalopram (Lexapro) Nursing Considerations
Fluoxetine (Prozac) Nursing Considerations
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
Grief and Loss
Grief and Loss
Haloperidol (Haldol) Nursing Considerations
Handling Death and Dying
Head to Toe Nursing Assessment (Physical Exam)
Homicidal and Suicidal Ideation for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Hypochondriasis (Hypochondriac)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Nursing Considerations
Lithium (Lithonate) Nursing Considerations
Lithium Lab Values
Liver Function Tests
Lorazepam (Ativan) Nursing Considerations
Magnesium-Mg (Hypomagnesemia, Hypermagnesemia)
Manic Attack – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (DIG FAST)
MAO Inhibitors Nursing Mnemonic (TIPS)
MAOIs
Meds for Alzheimers
Mental Health Course Introduction
Metabolic Alkalosis
Methadone (Methadose) Nursing Considerations
Midazolam (Versed) Nursing Considerations
Mood Disorders (Bipolar, Depression) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Mood Disorders (Bipolar)
Mood Stabilizers
Mood Stabilizers
Nurse-Patient Relationship
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome / Delirium Tremens
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Alzheimer’s Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Anxiety
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Depression
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Dissociative Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Mood Disorders (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Paranoid Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Personality Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Schizophrenia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Suicidal Behavior Disorder
Nursing Case Study for (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Nursing Case Study for Bipolar Disorder
Nursing Case Study for Mania (Manic Syndrome)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Nursing Considerations
Oxycodone (OxyContin) Nursing Considerations
Palliative Care for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Paranoid Disorders
Paroxetine (Paxil) Nursing Considerations
Personality Disorders
Phases of Nurse-Client Relationship
Phosphorus-Phos
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Postmortem Care
Potassium-K (Hyperkalemia, Hypokalemia)
Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Quetiapine (Seroquel) Nursing Considerations
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Case Study (45 min)
Self Concept
Senile Dementia – Assess for Changes Nursing Mnemonic (JAMCO)
Sertraline (Zoloft) Nursing Considerations
Sodium-Na (Hypernatremia, Hyponatremia)
Somatoform
Somatoform Disorder Case Study (30 min)
SSRI’s Nursing Mnemonic (Effective For Sadness, Panic, and Compulsions)
SSRIs
Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drug Withdrawal) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Substance Abuse (Chronic Alcohol Abuse, Chronic Drug Abuse) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Substance Abuse (Drug-Seeking Behavior) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Suicidal Behavior
TCAs
Therapeutic Communication
Therapeutic Drug Levels (Digoxin, Lithium, Theophylline, Phenytoin)
Thought Disorders (Psychosis, Schizophrenia) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Total Bilirubin (T. Billi) Lab Values
Types of Schizophrenia
Urinalysis (UA)
Vitamin B12 Lab Values
Day in the Life of a Community Health Nurse
Degree Restrictions in Career Growth
Environmental Stewardship (Waste Minimization) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Impaired or Disruptive Behavior Reporting (Interdisciplinary Healthcare Team) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Interdisciplinary Team Participation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Nursing
MSN (Masters) vs. DNP (Doctorate)
Quality Improvement Participation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Caring Practices for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Labs
End-of-Life and Palliative Care (Organ and Tissue Donation, Advance Directives, Care Withholding, Family Presence) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Ethical Dilemmas for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Famotidine (Pepcid) Nursing Considerations
Implant Verification and Availability for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Lab Panels
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Nursing
Myocardial Infarction (MI) Case Study (45 min)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Abdominal Pain
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Miscarriage
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Activity Intolerance
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Acute Kidney Injury
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Acute Pain
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Addison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome / Delirium Tremens
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Alzheimer’s Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Anaphylaxis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Anemia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Angina
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Aortic Aneurysm
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Appendicitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Arterial Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Asthma
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bladder Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Blunt Chest Trauma
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Ewing Sarcoma)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bowel Obstruction
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Brain Tumors
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Breast Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bronchiolitis / Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bronchoscopy (Procedure)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cardiogenic Shock
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cardiomyopathy
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cervical Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cholecystitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Chorioamnionitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Chronic Kidney Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Clubfoot
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Colorectal Cancer (Colon Cancer)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Congenital Heart Defects
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Constipation / Encopresis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cushing’s Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Cystic Fibrosis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Decreased Cardiac Output
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Dehydration & Fever
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Dementia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Depression
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Diabetes
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Diabetes Insipidus
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Dissociative Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Ectopic Pregnancy
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Emphysema
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Encephalopathy
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Enuresis / Bedwetting
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Epididymitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Fluid Volume Deficit
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Gestational Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Eclampsia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for GI (Gastrointestinal) Bleed
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Glomerulonephritis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Gout / Gouty Arthritis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Heart Valve Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hemophilia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hepatitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Herpes Zoster – Shingles
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hydrocephalus
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hyperparathyroidism
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hypertension (HTN)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hyperthyroidism
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hypoglycemia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Hypothyroidism
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Impaired Gas Exchange
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Imperforate Anus
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Impetigo
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Incompetent Cervix
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis / Crohn’s Disease)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Kidney Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Leukemia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Lung Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Lyme Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s, Non-Hodgkin’s)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Marfan Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Mastitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Meconium Aspiration
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Meniere’s Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Migraines
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Mood Disorders (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Neural Tube Defect, Spina Bifida
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Neutropenia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Newborns
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Nutrition Imbalance
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Omphalocele
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Osteoarthritis (OA), Degenerative Joint Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Osteoporosis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Otitis Media / Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Ovarian Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pancreatitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Paranoid Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Parkinson’s Disease
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pediculosis Capitis / Head Lice
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Personality Disorders
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pertussis / Whooping Cough
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pressure Ulcer / Decubitus Ulcer (Pressure Injury)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Process of Labor
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Prostate Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Psoriasis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Pulmonary Embolism
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Renal Calculi
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Respiratory Failure
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Restrictive Lung Diseases
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Reye’s Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Rheumatic Fever
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Risk for Fall
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Rubeola – Measles
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Schizophrenia
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Scoliosis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Seizures
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Sepsis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Skin cancer – Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Skull Fractures
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Spinal Cord Injury
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Stomach Cancer (Gastric Cancer)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Syncope (Fainting)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Testicular Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Thoracentesis (Procedure)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Thrombophlebitis / Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Thyroid Cancer
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Transient Tachypnea of Newborn
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Tuberculosis
Nursing Care Plan for (NCP) Autism Spectrum Disorder
Nursing Care Plan for (NCP) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Nursing Care Plan for Amputation
Nursing Care Plan for Chlamydia (STI)
Nursing Care Plan for Cirrhosis (Liver)
Nursing Care Plan for Compartment Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Nursing Care Plan for Distributive Shock
Nursing Care Plan for Endometriosis
Nursing Care Plan for Fractures
Nursing Care Plan for Gastritis
Nursing Care Plan for Gonorrhea (STI)
Nursing Care Plan for Hemorrhoids
Nursing Care Plan for Herpes Simplex (HSV, STI)
Nursing Care Plan for Liver Cancer
Nursing Care Plan for Macular Degeneration
Nursing Care Plan for Myocarditis
Nursing Care Plan for Osteomyelitis
Nursing Care Plan for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Nursing Care Plan for Pulmonary Edema
Nursing Care Plan for Restrictive Lung Diseases (Pulmonary Fibrosis, Neuromuscular Disorders)
Nursing Care Plan for Scleroderma
Nursing Care Plan for Syphilis (STI)
Nursing Care Plan for Testicular Torsion
Oxytocin (Pitocin) Nursing Considerations
Patient Records and Care Documentation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Trauma Surgery – Medical History Nursing Mnemonic (AMPLE)