Murray Module 4 Presentation

1. How to incorporate the
CAGE questionnaire in healthcare
Holly Murray • December 13th, 2015

2. Background
The CAGE questionnaire is a simple 4
question survey that healthcare providers
can use to assess whether or not patients
may have a drinking problem.

3. Who needs to learn this?
All nurses, nurse
practitioners,
physician assistants,
and physicians
should be familiar
with the CAGE
questionnaire.

4. Utilization
The CAGE questionnaire consists of 4
questions that should be asked directly
to the patient. Before beginning, you
should let the patient know that the
questions can be sensitive and offer to
have any visitors step out of the room.

5. Question #1
Have you ever felt you should Cut
down on your drinking?
CAGE

6. Have people
Annoyed you
by criticizing
your
drinking?
Question #2
CAGE

7. Question #3
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about
your drinking?
CAGE

8. Question
#4
Have you ever had a drink first
thing in the morning (Eye opener) to
steady your nerves or to get rid of a
hangover?
CAGE

9. Each question is worth 1 point.
2 points or more (2 positive answers) is cause for concern
that the patient is dependent on alcohol.
This should be taken into consideration when
formulating a care plan for the patient.
For example: Patients who are in the hospital will need to be
monitored very closely for signs of alcohol withdrawal. In the
outpatient setting, the results of the questionnaire might change
what medications are ordered for the patient.

10. The goal:
Catch signs of
withdrawal and
treat the patient
before they go into
delirium tremens
(a life threatening
emergency).

11. Pros
-Short and efficient
-Easy to memorize
-Simple scoring system
-The questions are easy to
understand
-The most widely used
alcohol screening tool
Cons
-Patients must be coherent
and able to talk
-Requires patients to answer
the questions honestly
-Patients might be less likely
to answer the questions
honestly in front of visitors

12. Relevance
As an FNP, this is one of the routine screening tools I can utilize to
get to know my patients better and make sure that all of their needs
are being met. I believe in providing holistic care and this tool
addresses one very important social aspect of the patient’s life. The
CAGE questionnaire would enable me to identify alcoholism much
faster than if I did not use it. I can then use this information to provide
better care for my patients.

13. Thank You!