Question

1. a 50 - year - old male with a history of alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. on day 2, he becomes agitated, tachycardic, hypertensive, and starts having visual hallucinations. what is the best initial treatment? a. lorazepam. b. haloperidol. c. clonidine. d. risperidone.

Explanation:

The patient is experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and visual hallucinations). Benzodiazepines like Lorazepam are the first - line treatment for alcohol withdrawal to reduce the risk of seizures and manage withdrawal symptoms. Lorazepam has a relatively short - to - intermediate half - life and is effective in calming the patient and reducing the physiological manifestations of withdrawal. Clonidine can help with some withdrawal symptoms like hypertension but is not the best initial treatment for the overall constellation of symptoms. Haloperidol and Risperidone are antipsychotics and are not the first choice for alcohol withdrawal management as they do not address the underlying withdrawal and may have side - effects that can be problematic in this context.

Answer:

A. Lorazepam.