NCLEX · Substance Use and Dependencies

A client who uses heroin is admitted for detoxification. The nurse anticipates symptoms of opioid withdrawal will include which of the following?

Correct answer

Anxiety, yawning, diaphoresis, rhinorrhea, muscle aching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, piloerection (gooseflesh), and insomnia — peak within 36-72 hours of last use

  1. A Sedation, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression
  2. B Anxiety, yawning, diaphoresis, rhinorrhea, muscle aching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, piloerection (gooseflesh), and insomnia — peak within 36-72 hours of last use
  3. C Euphoria and decreased pain sensation
  4. D No significant withdrawal effects

Why this is the answer

OPIOID WITHDRAWAL is highly uncomfortable but generally NOT life-threatening (contrast with alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, which CAN be life-threatening). TIMELINE for heroin withdrawal: onset 6-24 hours after last use; peak 36-72 hours; resolution 5-7 days for most symptoms (some protracted symptoms persist weeks). SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS — remember with the mnemonic 'WASHOUT': WATERY EYES AND NOSE (lacrimation, rhinorrhea); AGITATION AND ANXIETY; SWEATING AND SHIVERING; HYPERTENSION AND TACHYCARDIA; OUTRAGEOUS GI SYMPTOMS (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps); URGE TO USE; TERRIBLE MUSCLE ACHES (myalgia); PILOERECTION (gooseflesh — where the term 'cold turkey' comes from). Also: YAWNING, INSOMNIA, DILATED PUPILS (mydriasis — opposite of the pinpoint pupils seen with opioid intoxication). CLINICAL OPIATE WITHDRAWAL SCALE (COWS): standardized tool to assess withdrawal severity; scored 0-48; used to guide medication-assisted treatment. MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT) for opioid use disorder and withdrawal: METHADONE (full agonist, controlled, dispensed at clinics); BUPRENORPHINE/NALOXONE (Suboxone — partial agonist, outpatient prescription, reduces misuse potential); CLONIDINE (alpha-2 agonist, helps with autonomic symptoms but not a controlled substance; used for comfort); LOPERAMIDE for diarrhea; NSAIDS for muscle pain; ANTI-NAUSEA medications. NURSING CARE: vital signs monitoring (BP, HR — elevated in withdrawal); administer medications as ordered; comfort measures; non-judgmental attitude; harm reduction counseling; connect to MAT program for long-term management; do not abandon client due to substance use disorder — it is a medical condition.
Source: NCLEX-PN Test Plan: Psychosocial — Substance Use, Opioid Withdrawal