Question 1

A patient withdrawing from alcohol addiction has an order for diazepam Valium), 10 mg every 4 hours for four doses, then 5 mg every 4 hours for four doses. The drug comes in a concentration of 5 mg/mL. The patient is given a total of ______ mL.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient withdrawing from alcohol addiction has...

Question 2

The nurse realizes the patient is describing tolerance when the patient makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance occurs when a person needs more of a substance to achieve the desired effect. In this case, the patient is describing needing more alcohol each evening to unwind, indicating tolerance. Option A describes symptoms of the flu, option B describes a coping mechanism, and option C describes blacking out after drinking.

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a patient who reports frequent use of marijuana during her current pregnancy. The nurse would teach the patient about which effects of this drug? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Poor pregnancy outcomes: frequent use of marijuana during pregnancy can lead to poor perinatal outcomes such as preterm labor, low birth weight, and developmental problems.
C) Lung damage with long-term use: marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and can result in lung damage with long-term use.
E) Increased risk of respiratory cancer: smoking of marijuana has been associated with increased risk of respiratory cancer. 
B) Bradycardia: marijuana use can result in tachycardia, but not bradycardia.
D) Diuresis: while marijuana may cause short-term increase in urine output, it does not cause diuresis.

Question 4

A patient tells the nurse that he does not want to attend his wife's family events because he is expected to drink alcohol and he prefers not to. The nurse realizes this patient is describing behaviors found within which theory of substance disorders?

Accepted Answer

The patient's description of feeling pressure to drink alcohol at his wife's family events is a common feature in the sociocultural theory of substance disorders, which emphasizes the impact of social expectations and cultural norms on individual behavior.

Question 5

A patient tells the nurse that he gets off cocaine for a while and then in a few months finds himself "hanging out in the same places" where he knows he can easily get drugs. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should respond empathetically and make the patient aware of their drug-seeking behavior. The nurse should also suggest alternative activities to engage in and ways to cope with cravings, such as calling a support group or seeking out help from a healthcare provider. It is important not to use language that blames or shames the patient.

Question 6

A young adult patient tells the nurse that he periodically uses "uppers" to keep awake while studying for college classes, so he does not understand why he has been feeling so depressed lately. How would the nurse interpret what the patient is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The use of "uppers" (stimulant drugs) can cause a crash or "come down" afterward that can include symptoms of depression. This is a common side effect of stimulant use. Cocaine abstinence syndrome may also cause depression, but it is not necessarily related to periodic use of "uppers." Hallucinations are not mentioned in the scenario.

Question 7

A patient is admitted with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Which intervention is the highest priority for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Support of respiratory and cardiac status is the highest priority for a patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal, as withdrawal can lead to dangerous complications such as seizures, delirium tremens, and respiratory failure. Encouragement to verbalize feelings, keeping the room dimly lit, and encouraging fluid intake are important interventions, but not as high priority as ensuring the patient's respiratory and cardiac status.

Question 8

The nurse should ask nonjudgmental questions when assessing a patient for substance abuse. Which questions would be appropriate? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The appropriate questions should gather factual information about the frequency and quantity of substance use. Asking leading or judgmental questions (such as choice D and E) should be avoided.

Question 9

A loading dose of magnesium sulfate 4 g is ordered for a patient. The concentration available is 4 g/250 mL to be given over 30 minutes. The IV pump rate will be set at _______ mL/h.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A loading dose of magnesium sulfate 4...

Question 10

A patient has been admitted to withdraw from alcohol. The patient is agitated and restless and complains of having "the shakes." The nurse anticipates this patient will experience these effects for at least _____ weeks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been admitted to withdraw...

Quiz 13: Substance Abuse Assessment and Management