The nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire as a screening tool for a client who is seeking help because his wife said he had a drinking problem. Which information should the nurse explore in-depth with the client based on this screening tool?
A.
Cancer screening results, anger, gastritis, daily alcohol intake.
B.
Consumption, liver enzyme, gastrointestinal complaints, and bleeding.
C.
Efforts to cut down, annoyance with questions, guilt, and drinking as an “Eye-opener.”
D.
Minimizes drinking, frequently misses family events, guilt about drinking, and amount of daily intake.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
C. Efforts to cut down, annoyance with questions, guilt, and drinking as an “Eye-opener.”
Explanation
The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used screening tool designed to identify potential problems with alcohol use. It consists of four questions that focus on various aspects of alcohol consumption and its impact on the individual’s life. Each question addresses specific behaviors or feelings related to alcohol use, making it effective for screening for alcohol use disorders.
Here’s a breakdown of the CAGE questions and what they help to identify:
- Efforts to cut down: This question explores whether the individual has ever felt the need to reduce their alcohol consumption. Difficulty in cutting down or failing to control drinking despite wanting to do so can be indicative of problematic alcohol use or dependency.
- Annoyance with questions: This question assesses whether the individual becomes irritated when questioned about their drinking. This annoyance may reflect a level of defensiveness or denial, which can be common in people with alcohol use disorders.
- Guilt: This question examines whether the person feels guilty about their drinking habits. Feelings of guilt about drinking can signal an awareness of problematic behavior and its negative impact on one’s life.
- Drinking as an “Eye-opener”: This question determines whether the individual consumes alcohol in the morning to alleviate hangover symptoms or to start the day. Using alcohol to mitigate hangovers or to start the day is a strong indicator of alcohol dependence.
In contrast, the other options (A, B, and D) include aspects that are not directly assessed by the CAGE questionnaire:
- Option A includes cancer screening results and gastritis, which are unrelated to the CAGE tool’s focus.
- Option B involves liver enzymes and gastrointestinal complaints, which are not directly measured by the CAGE questions.
- Option D focuses on minimizing drinking and missing family events, which are important but not part of the CAGE tool’s direct inquiries.
Therefore, Option C best aligns with the specific elements assessed by the CAGE questionnaire, making it the correct choice for exploring the client’s alcohol use based on this screening tool.