Which medication should a nurse include when teaching about treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

When addressing treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, benzodiazepines are commonly utilized due to their sedative properties, which help mitigate withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and seizures. Lorazepam is particularly effective in this context because it can help ease these symptoms and is often preferred in clinical settings due to its safety profile, especially in patients with liver impairment, which is common among individuals with alcohol use disorders.

Both alprazolam and diazepam are also benzodiazepines, but they have specific usage considerations. Alprazolam is typically used for anxiety disorders and may not be the best choice for alcohol withdrawal due to its shorter half-life. Diazepam, while effective, is often not the first line due to its long half-life and potential for accumulation, especially in patients with compromised liver function.

Buspirone, on the other hand, is primarily an anxiolytic that does not have the same effectiveness in preventing or treating withdrawal symptoms related to alcohol. It is generally not indicated in acute withdrawal and does not provide the necessary sedation or seizure prevention that benzodiazepines do.

Thus, lorazepam is identified as the best choice for teaching about alcohol withdrawal treatment, as it is effective, has a manageable safety profile, and