Substance Related & Addiction Disorders
A client is admitted to the emergency department with tremors, diaphoresis,
increased heart rate, nausea, and irritability. The client reports that they had their last drink of
alcohol six hours ago. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A) Administer Naltrexone as prescribed.
B) Monitor vital signs and administer benzodiazepines as needed.
C) Encourage the client to attend a 12-step recovery program.
D) Provide the client with thiamine and folic acid supplements.
B) Monitor Vital Signs and administer benzodiazepines as needed
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of heroin use who is now taking
buprenorphine/naloxone. What is the purpose of this medication?
A) To provide a controlled high to prevent relapse.
B) To reverse acute opioid overdose.
C) To help with opioid withdrawal and prevent misuse.
D) To increase dopamine levels in the brain.
C) To help with opioid withdrawal and prevent misuse.
A nurse is assessing a client for warning signs of substance use disorder. Which
finding is most concerning?
A) The client has changed their peer group and is borrowing money frequently.
B) The client reports occasional alcohol use at social events.
C) The client sleeps 7-8 hours per night and exercises regularly.
D) The client enjoys drinking coffee in the mornings.
A) The client has changed their peer group and is borrowing money frequently.
Rationale: Changes in peer groups, borrowing money, and financial issues are potential
warning signs of substance use disorder.
A client is brought to the emergency department with suspected heroin overdose.
What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A) Administer naloxone as prescribed.
B) Encourage fluid intake.
C) Place the client in restraints for safety.
D) Monitor blood glucose levels.
A) Administer naloxone as prescribed.
A client in a residential substance use treatment program asks the nurse about
the benefit of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). What is the best response?
A) "CBT helps you identify and change unhealthy thought patterns related to substance use."
B) "CBT will eliminate your cravings for substances."
C) "CBT is not useful in addiction treatment."
D) "CBT works best when combined with hypnosis."
A) "CBT helps you identify and change unhealthy thought patterns related to
substance use."
A nurse is assessing a client with suspected opioid overdose. Which clinical
manifestations would the nurse expect to find?
A) Hypertension, tachycardia, and diaphoresis.
B) Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and unconsciousness.
C) Agitation, hallucinations, and paranoia.
D) Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
B) Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and unconsciousness.
A client with alcohol use disorder asks the nurse how naltrexone works. What is
the best response?
A) "It helps prevent the euphoric effects of alcohol, reducing cravings."
B) "It causes severe nausea and vomiting if you drink alcohol."
C) "It sedates you to prevent withdrawal symptoms."
D) "It works by eliminating withdrawal symptoms."
A) "It helps prevent the euphoric effects of alcohol, reducing cravings."
A nurse is discussing treatment options with a client experiencing
methamphetamine addiction. Which intervention is most effective?
A) Long-term inpatient treatment and behavioral therapy.
B) Prescribing benzodiazepines to counteract methamphetamine effects.
C) Providing opioid replacement therapy.
D) Using antipsychotic medications to treat addiction.
A) Long-term inpatient treatment and behavioral therapy.
A client experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal develops confusion, hallucinations,
and severe hypertension. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
B) Give lorazepam as prescribed.
C) Encourage the client to eat a nutritious meal.
D) Place the client in restraints.
B) Give lorazepam as prescribed.
A nurse is evaluating a client’s readiness for change in their substance use
disorder. Which statement indicates the client is in the contemplation stage of change?
A) "I don’t have a problem with alcohol."
B) "I know I need to quit, but I’m not sure how."
C) "I have started attending support groups regularly."
D) "I’ve been sober for six months."
B) "I know I need to quit, but I’m not sure how."
A client with a history of alcohol use disorder is prescribed disulfiram. What client
education is most important?
A) "This medication will cure your alcohol addiction."
B) "Avoid all forms of alcohol, including cough syrups and mouthwash."
C) "You can drink alcohol in moderation while taking this medication."
D) "This medication will stop cravings for alcohol."
B) "Avoid all forms of alcohol, including cough syrups and mouthwash."
A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client prescribed disulfiram.
Which statement by the client requires further teaching?
A) "I need to avoid all alcohol-containing products, including mouthwash."
B) "If I drink alcohol while on this medication, I may experience nausea and vomiting."
C) "This medication will cure my alcohol use disorder."
D) "I should wear a medical alert bracelet while taking this medication"
C) "This medication will cure my alcohol use disorder."
A nurse is caring for a healthcare professional who is suspected of drug
diversion. What is the nurse’s ethical and legal responsibility?
A) Ignore the behavior unless it affects patient care.
B) Report the suspected impairment to the appropriate authority.
C) Confront the colleague and demand an explanation.
D) Discuss the situation with other coworkers.
B) Report the suspected impairment to the appropriate authority.
A client with chronic alcohol use disorder is being treated for cirrhosis. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A) Blood glucose.
B) Serum creatinine.
C) Ammonia levels.
D) Hemoglobin A1c.
C) Ammonia levels.
A client with a history of substance use disorder is prescribed clonidine. What is
the primary reason for this prescription?
A) To reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
B) To treat opioid overdose.
C) To induce sleep in withdrawal patients.
D) To increase energy levels.
A) To reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
A nurse is providing education to a client with a stimulant use disorder. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "Stimulant use can increase my risk for heart attack and stroke."
B) "Chronic stimulant use can cause paranoia and hallucinations."
C) "Withdrawal from stimulants is life-threatening."
D) "Stimulants increase dopamine levels, leading to a sense of euphoria."
C) "Withdrawal from stimulants is life-threatening."
A client with a history of alcohol use disorder is admitted with Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome. What is the priority intervention?
A) Administer thiamine as prescribed.
B) Encourage the client to rest and rehydrate.
C) Provide high-protein meals.
D) Restrict fluid intake.
A) Administer thiamine as prescribed.
A nurse is educating a client about relapse prevention in substance use disorder.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should identify my triggers and develop coping strategies."
B) "Attending support groups can help me stay sober."
C) "Once I finish rehab, I won’t need any more treatment."
D) "Avoiding high-risk situations can help prevent relapse"
C) "Once I finish rehab, I won’t need any more treatment."
A nurse is teaching a client about harm reduction strategies for substance use.
Which statement indicates the client understands the teaching?
A) "I will avoid all triggers and high-risk situations."
B) "Using clean needles can help reduce my risk of infection."
C) "I should detox on my own at home."
D) "I will stop using drugs immediately without medical help."
B) "Using clean needles can help reduce my risk of infection."
A client with a history of opioid use disorder is prescribed naltrexone. What should
the nurse include in the client’s teaching?
A) "You should avoid all opioid medications while taking this drug."
B) "This medication will stop opioid cravings immediately."
C) "You can stop taking this medication if you feel better."
D) "Naltrexone should only be used for short-term treatment."
A) "You should avoid all opioid medications while taking this drug."
A client undergoing opioid withdrawal asks the nurse why they are receiving
methadone. What is the best response?
A) "Methadone will prevent withdrawal symptoms and help with long-term recovery."
B) "Methadone eliminates the need for substance use treatment."
C) "You will only need methadone for a few days"
D) "Methadone will make you feel high but in a controlled way."
A) "Methadone will prevent withdrawal symptoms and help with long-term recovery."
A client undergoing substance use disorder treatment asks about the benefits of a 12-step program. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "It provides structured support and accountability for recovery."
B) "It replaces the need for medical treatment."
C) "It guarantees lifelong sobriety."
D) "It is only for clients with severe addiction."
A) "It provides structured support and accountability for recovery."
A client with a history of benzodiazepine use disorder is experiencing withdrawal.
What symptoms should the nurse expect?
A) Lethargy, hypotension, and respiratory depression.
B) Anxiety, tremors, and seizures.
C) Euphoria, hyperactivity, and increased appetite.
D) Nausea, vomiting, and pinpoint pupils.
B) Anxiety, tremors, and seizures
A client who is using methamphetamine reports experiencing severe tooth decay.
What is the most likely cause?
A) Poor oral hygiene.
B) Increased saliva production.
C) Methamphetamine-induced dry mouth and teeth grinding.
D) High sugar intake.
C) Methamphetamine-induced dry mouth and teeth grinding.
A nurse is providing care to a healthcare professional enrolled in a nurse
assistance program for substance use disorder. What is the primary goal of this program?
A) To provide an opportunity for professional discipline.
B) To support recovery while ensuring patient safety.
C) To immediately revoke the nurse’s license.
D) To prevent the nurse from returning to practice.
B) To support recovery while ensuring patient safety.