The CIWA-Ar scale is the most sensitive tool for assessment of the patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Nursing assessment is vitally important. Early intervention for CIWA-Ar score of 8 or greater provides the best means to prevent the progression of withdrawal.

The CIWA-Ar should used in all patients suspected of being at risk to have alcohol withdrawal. Because it takes only a minute or two to administer, the scale can be used as frequently (i.e., every 1-2 hours) and can be used early when alcohol withdrawal is viewed only as a clinical risk.

Feb 23, 2025 · The CIWA-AR scores on a scale from 0-7 for each symptom and takes less than 2 minutes to complete. By adding up the scores of each 10 symptoms into a total, physicians can determine a severity range for patients’ withdrawal syndrome.

The CIWA-Ar is not copyrighted and may be reproduced freely. This assessment for monitoring withdrawal symptoms requires approximately 5 minutes to administer.

This study aimed to examine the utility of Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) for alcohol scale scores and medication doses for alcohol withdrawal management in identifying patients who received high-intensity care.

May 23, 2012 · Start aggressive Benodiazepine therapy at CIWA score of 8. Consider ICU admission with score >20. For use in cases refractory to benzodiazepine treatment. Blocks the NMDA receptor which is excited an unregulated. [5]

Determine and record blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by breathalyzer on admission. Vital signs: pulse rate and BP q 4 hours. Call physician if patient has HR > 110mmHg, DBP > 120 mmHg, or SBP > 180 mmHg. Obtain serum glucose, HFP (hepatic function profile), CMEP (comprehensive metabolic panel, CBC w/DIFF and urine for drug screen.

The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA) is a structured way to measure and respond to withdrawal symptoms, ensuring patients don’t spiral into dangerous territory—like seizures or delirium tremens (DTs).

The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar) is a 10-item questionnaire that measures the current degree of severity of an individual’s alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Emergency department (ED) sta are empowered and accountable for autonomously initiating the CIWA-Ar tool (10-item standardized scale for assessing alcohol withdrawal) when alcohol withdrawal symptoms are assessed.