Question 1

A client states that the physician prescribed a tranquilizer for a sleep disorder.Upon reviewing the prescribed order,the nurse finds that tranquilizers are often referred to as which type of medication?

Accepted Answer

Tranquilizers are often referred to as sedatives because they help to calm or soothe the nervous system, which can aid in sleep.

Question 2

A client asks the nurse what the two most commonly abused drugs are.Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol and nicotine are the two most commonly abused substances due to their widespread availability and social acceptance.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching about designer drugs.Which definition would the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Designer drugs are synthesized in illegal laboratories specifically for the purpose of circumventing existing drug laws, often by modifying the molecular structures of controlled substances to create new compounds that can be sold legally until banned. They are not necessarily made from natural substances, nor are they less addictive than prescription medications, and alcohol does not fall under this category.

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.

Accepted Answer

LSD and cocaine were once used for various therapeutic purposes but are now classified as illegal in many jurisdictions due to their high potential for abuse and addiction. LSD was explored for its potential in psychiatric treatment and cocaine was used as a local anesthetic and for other medical purposes.

Question 5

A client presents in the Emergency Department with hallucinations,anxiety,and confusion.The client denies taking any illegal drugs in the past 48 hours.Based upon the assessment data,the nurse is aware that these symptoms can occur from which type of drug?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, anxiety, and confusion, which align with the symptoms described. Other drug categories listed have different primary effects.

Question 6

The nurse is describing the differences between the different types of dependence and abuse.Which type of dependence causes uncomfortable symptoms when the drug is stopped?

Accepted Answer

Physical dependence is characterized by the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when the drug or substance is discontinued. This is because the body has adapted to the presence of the substance and reacts negatively when it is no longer available.

Question 7

Which statement made by a client who smokes marijuana is not true?

Accepted Answer

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens similar to tobacco smoke, and thus can increase the risk for lung cancer.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client arrives in the Emergency Department...

Question 9

What is a biological condition that occurs when the body adapts to a substance after it is repeatedly administered,and a higher dose is needed to achieve the initial response?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance is the condition where the body requires a higher dose of a substance to achieve the same effect that was initially achieved with a lower dose, due to repeated use.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing to teach a client about addiction,dependence,and withdrawal.The nurse asks the client,"What is the progressive and chronic abuse of a substance caused by an overwhelming feeling that drives someone to use a drug repeatedly despite serious consequences?" Which answer,by the client,is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Addiction is characterized by the compulsive use of a substance despite adverse consequences, driven by an overwhelming desire or craving. It involves both physical and psychological elements, distinguishing it from dependence, which can be purely physical.

Question 11

A client is receiving treatment for opioid addiction.Which medication does the nurse anticipate to be prescribed to help treat this addiction?

Accepted Answer

Methadone (Dolphine) is commonly used in the treatment of opioid addiction due to its ability to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high as other opioids.

Question 12

A client reports restlessness,nervousness,irritability,and insomnia.The client denies caffeine intake,but has been taking an OTC pain reliever for a headache.What is the best explanation by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Caffeine is commonly added to some over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to enhance their effectiveness. The symptoms described by the client, such as restlessness, nervousness, irritability, and insomnia, can be side effects of caffeine consumption, especially in individuals sensitive to caffeine or consuming it in larger quantities.

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with an alcohol overdose.Which effects should the nurse expect when caring for this client? (Select all that apply.)Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

Alcohol overdose can lead to coma due to its depressant effects on the central nervous system. Hypotension may occur as alcohol causes vasodilation, leading to decreased blood pressure. Vomiting and nausea are common due to the irritant effect of alcohol on the stomach lining. Increased respirations are not typically associated with alcohol overdose; instead, respiratory depression is more likely.

Question 14

A client is concerned about becoming addicted to a prescription medication.The nurse is planning to teach the client a way to decrease this chance.What item should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary is a strategy to minimize the risk of addiction to prescription medications. This approach ensures that the patient receives the necessary treatment while reducing exposure to potentially addictive substances.

Question 15

The nurse is preparing to teach a group of clients from a pain clinic about addiction.The nurse wants to include the causes of addiction in the presentation.What item should the nurse include in the plan?

Accepted Answer

Addiction can be caused by a need for prescription pain medications, as they can lead to physical dependence and misuse, even when initially prescribed for legitimate medical reasons.

Question 16

A client plans to enter a treatment facility for alcohol abuse.The client asks the nurse whether there are medications that can decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms.According to the nurse,which drug is used for this purpose?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam (Valium) is commonly used to help manage and decrease the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to its sedative and anxiolytic properties. It helps in reducing the risk of seizures and easing the discomfort associated with withdrawal.

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a client who has been using barbiturates at high doses for a long period of time.What does the nurse expect when assessing this client? (Select all that apply.)Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

The nurse can expect tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence in a client who has been using barbiturates at high doses for a long period. Tolerance occurs as the body adapts to the drug, requiring higher doses for the same effect. Psychological dependence involves a perceived need for the drug, while physical dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not taken.

Question 18

A client asks the nurse why withdrawal syndrome occurs when some drugs are stopped.What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal syndrome occurs because the body adapts to the presence of certain substances, considering their presence as normal. When these substances are suddenly removed, the body experiences a range of symptoms as it tries to readjust to their absence. This explanation encompasses both legal and illegal substances, and there is no fixed duration of abuse for withdrawal symptoms to occur.

Question 19

A client is admitted for alcohol intoxication.When assessing the client,which symptoms of alcohol abuse does the nurse anticipate?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of alcohol abuse and withdrawal can include tremors, fatigue, anxiety, abdominal cramping, hallucinations, confusion, seizures, and delirium. These symptoms are part of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can occur in individuals who have been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years and then suddenly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol intake.

Question 20

A client arrives in the Emergency Department with an overdose from benzodiazepines.What circumstance would cause the nurse to anticipate death of this client?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines combined with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression, leading to a higher risk of death.

Quiz 8: Substance Abuse