Deck 6: Substance Abuse

Question 1

The pharmacy technician is preparing to teach a patient about addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. The pharmacy technician asks the patient, "What is the progressive and chronic abuse of a substance caused by an intense craving and an overwhelming desire to continue using the substance, even if there are obvious negative economic, physical, or social consequences?" Which answer, by the patient, is appropriate?

A) Physical dependence
B) Addiction
C) Psychological dependence
D) Withdrawal

Answer 1

Psychological dependence

Question 2

Due to cross-tolerance, patients who have developed tolerance to alcohol will show tolerance to other CNS depressants. This would mean:

A) That doses may need to be increased for benzodiazepines, barbiturates and some general anesthetics.
B) That doses may need to be decreased for benzodiazepines, barbiturates and some general anesthetics.
C) That doses may need to be increased for narcotic painkillers.
D) That doses may need to be decreased for narcotic painkillers.

Answer 2

That doses may need to be increased for benzodiazepines, barbiturates and some general anesthetics.

Question 3

The pharmacy technician is teaching about illegal street drugs. Which definition would the technician include in the teaching plan?

A) A street drug is always created in an illegal laboratory solely for illegal drug trafficking.
B) A street drug is always made from a naturally occurring substance.
C) Hallucinogenics are illegal street drugs.
D) A street drug is usually less addictive than prescription medications.

Answer 3

Hallucinogenics are illegal street drugs.

Question 4

Which drugs were once used therapeutically and are now illegal because of a high potential for abuse? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) LSD
B) Barbiturates
C) Cocaine
D) Opioids
E) Heroin

Question 5

A patient arrives in the Emergency Department with a barbiturate overdose. The pharmacy technician expects which possible outcomes? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Decreased respirations
B) Increased respirations
C) Death
D) Coma
E) Increased heart rate

Question 6

Which profession, of the ones listed below, is more prone to alcohol or substance abuse?

A) Lawyers
B) Physicians
C) Carpenters
D) Bus drivers

Question 7

A pharmacy technician suspects that her co-worker is experiencing substance abuse. Which symptom would indicate abuse from an opioid?

A) Feeling cold
B) Dilated pupils
C) Decreased heart rate
D) Weight gain

Question 8

Typical warning signs of substance abuse in health care providers include? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Overworking
B) Wanting to be with others
C) Stable mood
D) Frequent absences

Question 9

What is the goal of Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programs (MMTP) in Canada?

A) Treat CNS depressant dependency with the use of methadone.
B) Treat opioid dependency with the use of methadone.
C) Treat addiction by increasing counselling and increasing the availability of rehabilitation centres.
D) Treat opioid dependency by making their illegal opioid more inaccessible.

Question 10

The benefits of the MMTP would include? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Reduced injection drug use
B) Increased transmission of STIs & HIV
C) Increased criminal activity
D) Decreased opioid overdose

Question 11

Addiction is the progressive and chronic abuse of a substance despite serious health and social consequences.

Question 12

With psychological dependence, uncomfortable symptoms, known as withdrawal syndrome, occur when use of the agent is stopped.

Question 13

With chronic substance abuse, patients will often associate their conditions and surroundings-
including social contacts with other users-with use of the drug. Removing themselves from these conditions or surroundings is referred to as conditioned withdrawal.

Question 14

When a patient needs less and less of a drug to feel the effects, the patient has developed tolerance to the drug.

Question 15

Alcohol and nicotine are the most common drugs of abuse in Canada.

Question 16

Marijuana typically causes both physical and psychological dependence.

Question 17

Hallucinogens include ecstasy, heroin, LSD, and magic mushrooms.

Question 18

It is safe to consume energy drinks with alcohol.

Question 19

Overdosing on barbiturates or benzodiazepines is usually fatal.

Question 20

Addiction to opioids can occur rapidly, and withdrawal can produce intense symptoms.

Question 21

Among nurses, prescription drugs are the second most abused substance, after alcohol.

Question 22

Claims of chronic pain with uncertain etiology, referred to as drug seeking behavior, is a typical feature indicating an opioid drug addiction.

Question 23

Any prescriber in Canada may prescribe methadone.

Question 24

What is the difference between dependence and tolerance?

Question 25

Why is mixing energy drinks with alcohol not a safe practice?

Question 26

Defend the statement: Most drugs abused in Canada are illegal substances.