American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which vitamin is administered to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy in patients with alcohol use disorder?

1. Vitamin B12

2. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

3. Vitamin C

4. Folate

The correct answer is: Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is crucial in preventing Wernicke's encephalopathy, particularly in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Alcohol impairs the absorption of thiamine and its conversion into its active form, which is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and neurological function. A deficiency in thiamine can lead to neurological complications, including Wernicke's encephalopathy, which is characterized by a triad of symptoms: confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. In the context of alcohol use disorder, patients are often in a state of poor nutritional status, which can exacerbate thiamine deficiency. Administering thiamine is a preventive measure to avoid this serious condition, and it is typically given before administering glucose in a clinical setting, as glucose can further precipitate Wernicke's encephalopathy in thiamine-deficient patients. The other vitamins listed do not play the same role in preventing Wernicke's encephalopathy. While Vitamin B12 is important for nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells, it does not directly prevent the complications associated with thiamine deficiency. Vitamin C and Folate are essential for various physiological functions but are not implicated in the prevention of