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Behavioral Health
Version 1.0
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Alcohol Withdrawal in a Hospital Setting

Prepare nurses to recognize, assess, monitor, and safely manage alcohol withdrawal while preventing complications and supporting ongoing treatment.

A Black male nurse in navy scrubs checks the blood pressure of one adult patient resting in a hospital bed.
Contact hours
4
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$20.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 4 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

Prepare nurses to recognize, assess, monitor, and safely manage alcohol withdrawal while preventing complications and supporting ongoing treatment.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 4 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, the nurse will be able to identify alcohol use disorder, recognize withdrawal risk, distinguish withdrawal from competing diagnoses, and apply an appropriate validated assessment approach. The nurse will also be able to implement protocol-based treatment and supportive care, detect deterioration, prevent avoidable complications, and coordinate treatment for alcohol use disorder after stabilization.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate alcohol use disorder, physiologic dependence, intoxication, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
  2. Identify patient history and clinical findings associated with severe or complicated alcohol withdrawal.
  3. Assess alcohol withdrawal using focused history, physical examination, laboratory data, and an appropriate validated tool.
  4. Distinguish uncomplicated withdrawal from seizures, withdrawal delirium, Wernicke encephalopathy, and other causes of autonomic hyperactivity or altered mental status.
  5. Implement prescribed pharmacologic treatment, nutritional support, safety measures, monitoring, and escalation of care.
  6. Develop a discharge plan that connects withdrawal management with evidence-based treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Alcohol Withdrawal in a Hospital Setting.

Course outline

11 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    Define Alcohol Use Disorder

  3. 3

    Alcohol Dependency Behaviors

  4. 4

    Define Alcohol Withdrawal

  5. 5

    Risks of Alcohol Withdrawal

  6. 6

    Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

  7. 7

    Diagnosing Alcohol Withdrawal

  8. 8

    Risk Factors

  9. 9

    Treatment Options

  10. 10

    Nursing Considerations

  11. 11

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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