Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

A client with a history of alcohol abuse is at increased risk for bleeding complications following surgery, primarily due to the effects that chronic alcohol consumption has on the liver and its ability to produce clotting factors. The liver plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins involved in blood coagulation, and alcohol can impair this function. Additionally, individuals with a history of alcohol abuse may have coexisting liver disease, such as cirrhosis, which further compromises the liver’s function and leads to an increased risk of bleeding.

Furthermore, the use of alcohol can affect platelet function, leading to a decrease in the overall clotting ability of the blood. This creates a situation where the body is less capable of managing bleeding after surgical procedures, making these patients particularly susceptible to postoperative hemorrhage. Understanding this connection highlights the importance of identifying clients with a history of substance abuse in a preoperative assessment to implement preventative measures and closely monitor for bleeding in the postoperative period.

The other complications listed, such as malignant hyperthermia or nausea, are not directly linked to a history of alcohol abuse in the same way as bleeding, making them less relevant in this context. Blood clots can be a concern for various patients depending on their mobility and medical history, but alcohol's