Question 1

How long does it take the body to metabolize a single can of beer?

Accepted Answer

The metabolization of any amount of alcohol takes approximately 1 hour.

Question 2

The alcoholic patient says to the nurse,"I am not an alcoholic.I can quit any time I want to." The nurse recognizes that the patient is using which defense mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Denial is ignoring reality in spite of hard evidence.Denial is a mechanism frequently used by substance abusers.Repression refers to unconsciously blocking an unwanted thought or memory from open expression.Rationalization attempts to justify a behavior or action by making an excuse or an explanation.Intellectualization is the excessive reasoning and logic to counter emotional distress.

Question 3

The nurse is aware that when Korsakoff syndrome is suspected from behavioral cues,the syndrome can be confirmed by which diagnostic test?

Accepted Answer

The individual with Korsakoff syndrome has grossly impaired memory and gait disturbance.Confabulation (making up stories)frequently is seen as an attempt to communicate.A brain scan will show brain atrophy; currently there is no treatment to reverse the condition.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted for a lorazepam (Ativan)overdose.Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is experiencing withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Elevated blood pressure is consistent with withdrawal from a central nervous system (CNS)depressant like lorazepam (Ativan),a benzodiazepine.If an individual has been abusing drugs that depress the CNS and goes through withdrawal,other symptoms would include an elevation in pulse,nervousness,and heightened anxiety.The patient would likely be agitated rather than lethargic and tachycardic.Urine output of 40 mL/hr is a normal finding.

Question 5

The nurse uses the CAGE challenge to alcoholics who persist in denial.What does the "G" in the set of questions from CAGE represent?

Accepted Answer

A commonly used screening tool for alcohol abuse is the CAGE assessment.Two or more "yes" answers have a 90% correlation with an alcohol abuse problem.The "G" stands as a reminder for the question,"Do you feel guilty about your drinking?"

Question 6

A patient is admitted after abusing an inhalant.Which safety precaution is most important for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Medical treatment and intervention for both hallucinogens and inhalants include provision of safety for the individual who may be experiencing a bad "trip." Emergency measures may be necessary to provide respiratory support for an individual who has impaired gas exchange as a result of inhalants.

Question 7

Shortly after receiving one dose of naloxone (Narcan)for an overdose of opiates,a patient experiences a change in level of consciousness and a decreased respiratory rate.What should the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Narcan has a short half-life,and opiate action may resume and cause respiratory depression.Narcan may be repeated,or the nurse can request a continuous intravenous infusion of the drug.

Question 8

An intoxicated patient is admitted to a treatment center for detoxification.The nurse understands that his withdrawal will be supported with which method?

Accepted Answer

The alcoholic in withdrawal is supported with symptomatic relief for nausea and vomiting,cramps,and possible seizure.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for an undernourished alcoholic patient.The nurse is helping the patient to select items from the menu.What dietary goal should the nurse try to help the patient achieve?

Accepted Answer

The diet for the malnourished alcoholic patient should be high in protein and consist of at least 50% carbohydrates.There are no specific limitations for fat,cholesterol,or sodium.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing detoxification from alcohol.Which supplement can the nurse expect to be included in the prescribed medications?

Accepted Answer

The treatment for the alcoholic undergoing detoxification includes the administration of large doses of thiamine (vitamin B?).Thiamine acts as a nerve insulator in the body and is absent in the diets of most chronic alcoholics.

Question 11

Why do many people who abuse Cannabis (marijuana)rationalize their use?

Accepted Answer

Many young people offer the increased sensitivity to sound,colors,and other environmental elements as a rationale for using the nonaddicting drug.

Question 12

The wife of an alcoholic tells the nurse,"My husband only drinks on the weekends to relax.He has a very stressful job." The nurse recognizes that the patient's wife is using which defense mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Rationalization is a justification for an unreasonable act to make it appear reasonable.Rationalization is used by many families to allay their own anxiety about the substance abuse of a family member.Repression refers to unconsciously blocking an unwanted thought or memory from open expression.Denial is ignoring reality in spite of hard evidence.Denial is a mechanism frequently used by substance abusers.Identification refers to modeling behaviors after another individual.

Question 13

The nurse explains that an alternative to disulfiram (Antabuse)is the drug naltrexone (ReVia).Which information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Naltrexone (ReVia)can be used to block the craving for alcohol and to prevent relapse in the recovery phase.

Question 14

Which action best aids in successful rehabilitation from substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Collaboration is basic for success of rehabilitation.The patient and family must be part of the decision-making process for the formulation of treatment goals.While it is important to be aware of signs of relapse and essential to discard any paraphernalia and a 12-step program could be helpful,it is most important for the patient and family members to be active participants in the treatment plan.

Question 15

After detoxification from substance abuse,the patient says,"I feel better than I have in years! All I needed was some rest.I am not an alcoholic." Which response is best for the nurse to make?

Accepted Answer

Confronting denial and encouraging self-diagnosis is the point of the treatment phase after detoxification.Asking for the patient's definition of alcoholism allows for the patient to intellectualize the problem.Stating that alcoholism is "hard" is a sympathetic and unhelpful response."Alcoholism has ruined your life" is accusatory and counterproductive.

Question 16

Which statement accurately explains the difference between an enabler and a co-dependent?

Accepted Answer

The codependent "fixes" things by overcompensating to prevent the abuser from facing reality.Enabling refers to "helping" a person so that the person's consequences from unhealthy behavior are less severe; thus enabling "helps" the unhealthy behavior to continue.

Question 17

The nurse is concerned about a coworker who she suspects is abusing amphetamines.Which behavior best validates the nurse's concern?

Accepted Answer

Excited speech,euphoric behavior,increased alertness,and anorexia are indications of abuse of amphetamines.

Question 18

Which action is most important for the nurse to take before providing care for substance abusers?

Accepted Answer

Nurses must first determine their own biases and attitude toward substance abuse and substance abusers before they can relate effectively with the patient.Familiarization with resources and knowledge about theories of addiction are tools of lesser importance.Consistency with patients occurs while providing care to substance abusers.

Question 19

A person in jail for public intoxication has been without alcohol for 12 hours.Which finding indicates that the patient may be withdrawing from alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Marked irritability is the early sign (6 to 12 hours after last drink)of alcohol withdrawal.

Question 20

The nurse encourages the recovering alcoholic to participate in group therapy.Which benefit is most important for the nurse to mention?

Accepted Answer

The learning of the skill of self-discipline is the long-lasting benefit from group therapy.The other options are also benefits,but the major one is self-discipline,a skill a drug abuser must acquire for successful rehabilitation.

Quiz 46: Care of Patients with Substance Abuse Disorders