Question 1

A client with a history of long-term alcohol abuse is diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy. The nurse would plan the client's care with the knowledge that which treatment will be needed first?

Accepted Answer

The client must receive thiamine first to treat the nutritional deficiency that is the source of the condition.

Question 2

A client enters the emergency department complaining of acute lower right quadrant abdominal pain. It is determined that the client has appendicitis and is scheduled to go to the operating room immediately. The nurse notes on the database that the client generally drinks 10 to 12 beers a day, although he did not drink in the past 4 days because of the pain. The nurse would expect that the:

Accepted Answer

Alcohol interacts with many commonly prescribed or over-the-counter medications. Potentiation and cross-tolerance with other CNS depressants also may occur.

Question 3

A client is admitted to a nursing unit in acute alcoholic withdrawal. Which nursing diagnosis is the highest priority early in this admission?

Accepted Answer

Risk for injury is the priority because of the safety needs of this client.

Question 4

The spouse of a client asks why her husband seems to drink more when he is depressed. What should the nurse say in response?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is a general CNS depressant. Additionally, alcohol binds with receptors in the brain reward system, resulting in the release of dopamine and promoting the addictive process.

Question 5

A client with congestive heart failure receives digoxin (Lanoxin) to slow and strengthen ventricular contraction. He tells a nurse during his health history that he frequently uses amphetamines to "deal with all the stress." Which assessments and diagnostics would be a priority for this client?

Accepted Answer

Amphetamines may cause ventricular dysrhythmias. Digoxin may accentuate these rhythm changes, which need to be monitored through auscultation and a rhythm strip.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a client with opioid addiction. The client requires the reversal of respiratory depression and coma. The nurse anticipates that she will be treated with which medication?

Accepted Answer

Naloxone (Narcan) is the only choice that can be used to reverse the symptoms of respiratory depression and coma resulting from opioid addiction.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a client who is detoxifying after an opioid overdose. The nurse anticipates that which drug will be given to substitute for the opioid?

Accepted Answer

Buprenorphine (Subutex) is the only choice that can be used to substitute for the opioid.

Question 8

The nurse instructs a client prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) for treatment of short-term anxiety to avoid which herbal preparation?

Accepted Answer

Valerian interacts with benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), causing increased central nervous system (CNS) depression.

Question 9

A client has terminal cancer. She is taking large doses of opiates to control pain. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Patients with terminal disease may require large doses of pain medication to manage their pain. The priority in this case is managing the pain, not the potential for addiction.

Question 10

Which client statement demonstrates the greatest readiness for smoking or alcohol cessation?

Accepted Answer

The correct option indicates the greatest readiness. The other options show a reluctance to recognize the problems imposed by the addiction.

Question 11

A client expresses the desire to quit smoking. She elects to use Nicorette gum replacement therapy. Which statement by the nurse is true regarding this smoking cessation technique?

Accepted Answer

The client who uses Nicorette should not eat or drink for 15 minutes before or after chewing the gum in order to achieve the full effect.

Question 12

A nurse in the emergency department receives a call that a client is being transported to the hospital by paramedics. The client is a known heroin addict and is showing signs of potential overdose. The nurse would expect which symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Clammy skin, constricted pupils, and decreased level of consciousness are behaviors characteristic of opioid overdose. All the other options indicate an increased level of agitation, characteristic of psychedelic drugs.

Question 13

A postoperative client received morphine in the recovery room. On assessment, the nurse notes that the client's respiratory rate is 6 breaths per minute and that the client has a decreased level of consciousness. The anesthesiologist orders naloxone (Narcan). The nurse administers this medication with the knowledge that this drug is a(n):

Accepted Answer

Naloxone is a short-acting opioid antagonist given with suspected opioid overmedication.

Question 14

A client is admitted to the emergency room after overdosing on a benzodiazepine. The nurse anticipates that the healthcare provider will order which antidote?

Accepted Answer

Flumazenil (Romazicon) is a benzodiazepine antagonist used to reverse the respiratory and sedative effects of benzodiazepines.

Question 15

The client is receiving nicotine replacement therapy in the form of the Commit lozenge. The client tells the nurse that she has been experiencing extreme nausea and indigestion. The nurse recognizes that the client is probably making which mistake?

Accepted Answer

Chewing and swallowing the lozenge will intensify the gastrointestinal side effects.

Quiz 9: Drugs of Abuse