Final answer:
Disulfiram therapy is used in the treatment of ethanol alcohol abuse. It inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing unpleasant symptoms if the patient consumes alcohol. The nurse should educate the patient about the potential side effects and encourage them to abstain from drinking alcohol.
Step-by-step explanation:
Disulfiram therapy is used in the treatment of ethanol alcohol abuse. Disulfiram is a drug that inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for converting acetaldehyde (a byproduct of alcohol metabolism) to acetic acid. When disulfiram is taken, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, causing unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache, and low blood pressure if the patient consumes alcohol.
By experiencing these unpleasant effects, the patient is deterred from drinking alcohol, as it acts as a negative reinforcement. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about the potential side effects of disulfiram and encourage them to abstain from consuming alcohol while on this medication to prevent the adverse reactions.