2 hours CPD.
$40 credit.
It is important that nurses have a good understanding of alcohol use because of the high prevalence of drinking in the community, and the potentially serious adverse health risks associated with alcohol use, such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy and cirrhosis
of the liver. In order to work effectively with people who have alcohol related problems, it is important to have a good working knowledge of a number of key areas. First, it is important to know about the different classes of drugs and the short
and long-term effects of alcohol use. It is also important to understand tolerance and dependence, how addiction develops, and to manage intoxication and withdrawal. Finally, it is important to know what the pharmacotherapy options are for treatment.
This module was written by the team at Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre and reviewed by a senior clinician team in a metropolitan drug and alcohol service.
Key learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
- describe different methods of classifying psychoactive drugs and the consequences of drug use
- explain homeostasis and the biological basis of drug tolerance and dependence, and the development of addiction
- describe the effects of alcohol use on health
- discuss the screening and nursing management strategies required for intoxication and withdrawal states in alcohol-using populations
- confidently discuss substitute pharmacotherapy with patients.
ANMF (Vic Branch) members receive annual credit for online
CPD modules to help meet your registration renewal requirements. Full- and
part-time members receive $400; members on parental leave receive $120; student
members receive $80. Credit renews every June.
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Course Duration in Hours: 2