Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5061

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5061

QUESTION: The nurse is providing care for a client undergoing opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal causes severe physical discomfort and can be life-threatening. To minimize these effects, opiate users are commonly detoxified with:

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O a.) barbiturates.

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O b.) amphetamines.

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O c.) methadone.

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O d.) benzodiazepines.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Methadone is used to detoxify opiate users because it binds with opioid receptors at many sites in the central nervous system but doesn't have the same deleterious effects as other opiates, such as cocaine, heroin, and morphine. Barbiturates, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines are highly addictive and would require detoxification treatment.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge