Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

Shaking and sweating are hallmark symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal. This occurs due to the central nervous system's hyperactivity after a person who has been consuming alcohol regularly suddenly reduces or stops their intake. Alcohol acts as a depressant, and when it's no longer present, the body can respond with a range of physical symptoms. Shaking, or tremors, is a direct result of the overactivity of the excitatory neurotransmitters that can happen after alcohol is withdrawn, while sweating is a physiological reaction stemming from the body's attempt to maintain homeostasis in the absence of alcohol. These symptoms are often experienced alongside others such as anxiety, agitation, and nausea, which are also common during withdrawal. Other options, like excessive sleepiness or increased appetite, are not typical in this context, further establishing shaking and sweating as a clear indicator of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.