Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Instruments in Acute Care: An Integrative Review
Alyson Keen1, Carmen R Davis1, Jason Lilly1
1Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, USA.
Summary
This review evaluated 14 alcohol withdrawal assessment tools for hospital use. Findings help clinicians select instruments with strong psychometric properties and usability for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Clinical Assessment
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alcohol withdrawal is a common and serious hospital condition requiring early detection.
- Effective assessment tools are crucial for nurses to manage patient withdrawal and prevent severe complications.
- There is a need for evidence-based recommendations on reliable and valid alcohol withdrawal assessment instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an integrative review of psychometric testing and usability of alcohol withdrawal assessment tools.
- To summarize existing evidence on the reliability, validity, and usability of these instruments.
- To inform clinical practice regarding the selection of appropriate assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Whittemore & Knafl integrative review methodology.
- Included studies published in English-speaking countries, involving adult hospital patients, and assessing alcohol withdrawal.
- Focused on instruments tested for reliability, validity, and/or usability.
Main Results:
- Reviewed 17 articles evaluating 14 distinct alcohol withdrawal assessment instruments.
- Validity was the most frequently assessed psychometric property (14 studies), followed by reliability and usability (9 studies each).
- Instruments were tested across various global regions, including the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Conclusions:
- This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the psychometric properties and usability of 14 alcohol withdrawal assessment tools.
- The findings support informed decision-making for healthcare professionals in selecting instruments tailored to clinical needs.
- Evidence-based selection of assessment tools can enhance the management of alcohol withdrawal in hospital settings.
Keywords:
alcohol-related disordersnursing assessmentpsychometricssensitivity and specificitysubstance withdrawal syndromeMore Related Videos
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
05:40The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
01:14CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:28Depressants
Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...