Deck 12: Substances of Addiction

Question 1

What is a priority outcome for the client who has chronic alcoholism with liver damage?

A) The client will switch to a safer drug, like a benzodiazepine.
B) The client will learn to drink more responsibly.
C) The client will become involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
D) The client will keep all appointments with the doctor treating his liver damage.

Answer 1

The client will become involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Question 2

The mother of an adolescent client says to the nurse "I think my son is staying up too late studying, and I see him using Visine eye drops all the time for his red eyes. Should I have his vision checked?" What is the best response by the nurse?

A) " He could be smoking marijuana, and I would talk to him."
B) "He might be depressed; insomnia is common with depression."
C) "Sounds like he is using cocaine; I have seen this before."
D) "Yes, that is a great idea, he may need some glasses."

Answer 2

" He could be smoking marijuana, and I would talk to him."

Question 3

The nurse is managing care for a group of substance abusers. The clients have completed group education about the disease of addiction. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the clients make which statements? Select all that apply.

A) A heroin addict can die from heroin withdrawal.
B) "There is most likely a genetic component to addiction."
C) "Addiction includes a compulsion to use a mood -altering substance."
D) "Most addicts became addicted from pain medication in a hospital."
E) "Substance abuse depends on complex variables."

Answer 3

"There is most likely a genetic component to addiction."
"Addiction includes a compulsion to use a mood -altering substance."
"Substance abuse depends on complex variables."

Question 4

The client had been abusing cocaine for several years. Recently, the client snorted cocaine that was much purer than was thought, resulting in an overdose. The client died in the emergency department. What does the nurse recognize as the most likely cause of death?

A) Impurities in the cocaine
B) Cardiac arrest
C) Rhabdomyolysis
D) Bowel ischemia

Question 5

The client comes to the emergency department and tells the nurse "I have been off my drugs for 3 days." The nurse assesses the client for withdrawal symptoms associated with the category of drug used. Withdrawal from which drug, if taken by the client, should cause the nurse the most concern?

A) Cocaine
B) Alprazolam (Gen -Alprazolam )
C) Marijuana
D) Heroin

Question 6

The client is a 10 -year -old child admitted to the emergency department after "huffing" gasoline. The physician suspects mild brain damage. What signs will the nurse teach the parents to observe for after they take the child home?

A) nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
B) slurred speech, memory loss, and personality changes
C) irregular pulse, fainting, and anger
D) depression, cold extremities, and dyspnea

Question 7

The client has been abusing alcohol for several years and tells the nurse, "I used to drink a mickey (375 mL) of whiskey every day. Now I get sick and pass out after just two drinks." What does the nurse correctly recognize about this client?

A) The client's symptoms are related to hyperglycemia; he may have pancreatic damage.
B) The client has brain damage from the alcohol and cannot remember how much he consumes.
C) The client may have liver damage, resulting in an inability to metabolize large amounts of alcohol.
D) The client is in denial and is most likely minimizing the amount of alcohol he consumes.

Question 8

The client tells the nurse that her 12 -year -old child asks to use her nail polish remover several times a day. When her friends come to visit, this seems to occur more frequently. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "Your daughter may be 'huffing' or rubbing the remover on her skin."
B) "Your daughter may be 'huffing;' that is really scary."
C) "Your daughter may be 'huffing' or drinking small amounts of the remover."
D) "Your daughter may be 'huffing' or inhaling the remover."

Question 9

The client is admitted to the in -patient substance abuse unit. She tells the nurse she has been buying "yellow jackets" (pentobarbital, {Nembutal}) on the street, but hasn't had any for a few days. What is the best plan by the nurse at this time?

A) Prepare to manage a withdrawal that will likely be minimal.
B) Prepare to manage a withdrawal that could be life -threatening.
C) Prepare to do frequent room searches, as the client's friends will most likely bring drugs in for her.
D) Prepare to manage the depression and suicidal thoughts the client will have.

Question 10

The client is withdrawing from opioids. Which symptom best describe(s) the results of the nurse's assessment? Select all that apply.

A) Diaphoresis.
B) Hypotension.
C) Pinpoint pupils.
D) Dilated pupils.
E) Abdominal cramping and pain.

Question 11

The client is post -op, day 1 after an abdominal hysterectomy and is requesting morphine sulfate intravenous (IV), which is prescribed. The client rates her pain as 8 out of 10, with 10
Being the most intense. The nurse caring for this client says to another nurse "She really doesn't look like she is in pain, maybe she is an addict." What is the best response by the other nurse?

A) "I would hold the medication until she looks like she is in pain."
B) "Maybe you could tell her to do some distraction techniques first."
C) "You could call the doctor and get an order for an oral medication."
D) "I would give the morphine; pain is subjective, and we don't know her history."

Question 12

The adolescent client is in a drug rehabilitation program. The mother of this client says to the nurse "The doctor said my son has a physical addiction to alcohol. What does this mean?" What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "He will have an intense craving for alcohol; this is best managed in group therapy."
B) "He will have feelings of depression when stopping alcohol; we need to monitor him for suicide."
C) "His body is used to alcohol; he will have specific withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped."
D) "His brain remembers the euphoria he had with alcohol, and he has a craving to return to it."

Question 13

The client has been prescribed disulfiram (Antabuse) to discourage a return to drinking alcohol. The client tells the nurse that after stopping disulfiram (Antabuse) for a week, he returned to drinking alcohol. What will the nurse most likely assess in the client?

A) Headache, nausea, and vomiting.
B) Confusion and fine tremors.
C) An absence of symptoms, as the drug was discontinued.
D) Severe hyperglycemia and dry skin.

Question 14

The client has an extensive history of alcoholism. He is having coronary bypass surgery. While caring for this patient post -operatively the nurse notes that the client requires higher -than -usual amounts of the drug. The nurse correctly evaluates this response as what phenomenon?

A) The client had developed cross -tolerance to the anesthesia, and will require higher amounts.
B) The client has developed a resistance to the anesthesia, so it will not work very well.
C) The client has developed a paradoxical reaction to the anesthesia, and will require a different drug.
D) The anesthetist most likely did not calculate the correct amount of anesthesia for this client.

Question 15

The client has smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for twenty years. The client also takes oral contraceptives. In implementing a teaching plan, what is the most important information for the nurse to include?

A) You are at a higher risk for emphysema than nonsmokers.
B) The nicotine will decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills.
C) You are at a higher risk for developing diabetes than smokers who do not use birth control pills.
D) You are at a higher risk for a heart attack than nonsmokers.