Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

A patient with chronic alcohol abuse displays altered mental status and muscle weakness. What is indicated for this patient?

1. Collaborate with the physician for a neuro consult

2. Check the patient’s magnesium level

3. Perform a 12 lead ECG

4. Institute seizure precautions

The correct answer is: Check the patient’s magnesium level

In the context of a patient with chronic alcohol abuse displaying altered mental status and muscle weakness, assessing the patient's magnesium level is a vital step. Chronic alcohol use can lead to electrolyte imbalances and nutritional deficiencies, including hypomagnesemia. Low magnesium levels can contribute to neurological dysfunction and overall muscle weakness, exacerbating the altered mental status. Establishing the patient's magnesium level allows healthcare providers to determine if supplementation or treatment is necessary. This is particularly important because magnesium plays a crucial role in neuromuscular function, and addressing any deficiencies can greatly improve the patient’s neurological status and physical strength. While the other options may be considerations in the overall management of the patient, checking the magnesium level directly addresses a potential underlying cause of the observed symptoms in the context of chronic alcohol use. For instance, while a neuro consult can be beneficial, it generally would not be the initial step unless there are signs of a specific neurological event. Similarly, seizures can be a risk in patients with alcohol withdrawal, but if magnesium deficiency is not addressed, the potential for ongoing neurological problems remains. Lastly, a 12-lead ECG, while useful in certain scenarios, does not directly assess the neurological status or muscle weakness related to this patient's chronic alcohol issue.