What dietary advice should the nurse provide to a client beginning treatment with disulfiram (Antabuse)?

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is prescribed to support individuals in overcoming alcohol dependence. The medication works by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which leads to unpleasant reactions when alcohol is consumed. These reactions, often experienced as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations, serve as a deterrent to drinking alcohol.

Therefore, the most crucial dietary advice for a client treated with disulfiram is to avoid alcohol in any form. This includes not only alcoholic beverages but also products that may contain alcohol, such as certain medicines, mouthwashes, and even some foods that might have residual alcohol from cooking or fermentation. The avoidance of alcohol is essential to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and the safety of the patient, preventing potentially severe and distressing reactions.

The other dietary options, although beneficial in various health contexts, do not directly address the critical need to avoid all forms of alcohol to mitigate disulfiram's adverse effects.