(^550) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- For acetaminophen:
- acetylcysteine
- For ethylene glycol:
- fomepizole
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Ineffective denial.
- Hopelessness.
- Altered family processes: alcoholism.
- Ineffective individual coping.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
- Prevent relapse.
- Instruct the patient:
- Adopt strategies to cope with cravings.
- Use of medication.
- Physical symptoms of withdrawal.
- Benefit of attendance at group sessions.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is the chronic overuse and abuse of legal or illegal substances
causing interpersonal, social, and family problems. Addiction occurs when the use
of the substance causes an abnormal physical or psychological dependence in
which the sudden discontinuance will cause severe trauma. This differs from tol-
erance in which the desired effectiveness of the drug diminishes over time. Larger
quantities of the drug must be used to achieve the same effect. Severe addiction
is usually characterized by the inability to carry out work requirements, school
responsibilities, or family obligations and duties.6