Question 1

The rationale for using methadone in the treatment of heroin abuse as a substitute for heroin is that methadone:

Accepted Answer

Methadone,as an extended-release medication,does not give the "rush" that addicts enjoy.It maintains the opioid level in the body but does so at a steady state and decreases cravings.

Question 2

Marijuana is a hallucinogenic drug that can be used for positive effects in the treatment of:

Accepted Answer

Marijuana has been studied for use to reduce nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.Marinol (Dronabinol)is a marijuana derivative currently available to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Question 3

The nurse explains that according to the intrapersonal theory,addiction is caused by early childhood rejection.These substance abusers are thought to have common characteristics that include:

Accepted Answer

The intrapersonal theory identifies the common personality traits of self centeredness,need for control,and attention seeking as parts of the addictive personality.

Question 4

The nurse is discharging a patient with a pulmonary disorder to return home with her family.She has had a difficult time while in the hospital and has experienced withdrawal from tobacco.When the nurse tells her that community resources are available to help her to stop smoking,she says,"That's OK.I can stop whenever I want to." This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Denial is a common defense mechanism used by substance abusers.

Question 5

Substance abuse might be suspected in a patient who has a(n):

Accepted Answer

An abnormal liver function test and a gastrointestinal GI bleed indicate substance abuse.

Question 6

A urine drug screen is ordered for a patient suspected of a driving while intoxicated (DWI).The nurse explains that the drugs that are being screened can include:

Accepted Answer

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD),Valium,and Percocet have the correct combination of an illicit drug,an anxiolytic medication,and an opioid.

Question 7

The nurse in the admissions unit is informed that a patient is being brought in who has been using "ice." The nurse is aware that this patient may be:

Accepted Answer

Persons who use "ice," a form of methamphetamine,are frequently violent while under its influence.The effect of "ice" can last as long as 12 to 14 hours.

Question 8

Narcan has been given to the person with respiratory depression who is addicted to heroin.The nurse is alert for indications of:

Accepted Answer

Narcan is an opioid antagonist that causes the opioid to fall from receptor sites.When the antagonist is given,the sudden loss of the opioid causes acute withdrawal to occur.

Question 9

The wife of a long-term alcoholic wants to help her husband quit drinking.The nurse tells her that an initial approach might be for a group of friends and family to confront the patient with his alcoholism and tell him that:

Accepted Answer

The implementation for encouraging an alcoholic to go into treatment consists of a group of people telling the alcoholic that they think his drinking is destructive,but they do not reject him as a person.

Question 10

The treatment plans for abusers of alcohol and drugs are similar-90 meetings in 90 days and 12-step programs.The major difference in the success of the two types of abusers is that:

Accepted Answer

One difference between alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs is that drug abusers will have a lower success rate.Alcohol abusers have a higher rate of success when they follow the Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Question 11

The nurse recommends to an alcoholic that he join Alcoholics Anonymous because this organization is:

Accepted Answer

Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of people who come together to offer support to each other to stay sober.It has a religious base,recognizes a higher power,and uses a 12-step approach to sobriety.

Question 12

The nurse is aware that the alcoholic is at risk for a syndrome related to thiamine deficiency,which is:

Accepted Answer

Wernicke encephalopathy is a vitamin B1 (thiamine)deficiency.If not treated with vitamin supplements,the condition can progress to a more serious form.

Question 13

A patient has been diagnosed with alcoholism.The nurse tells him that he has a physical illness with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism,and the only effective treatment is total abstinence from alcohol.This type of approach characterizes which one of the following theories?

Accepted Answer

The Biologic approach is based on the theory that there is a faulty physiologic process that causes a predisposition to an addiction.This theory includes the belief that such an addition is incurable and only total abstinence will be effective.

Question 14

The nurse counsels a pregnant cocaine abuser that her cocaine use places the baby at risk for:

Accepted Answer

Babies born to mothers who are addicted to cocaine have a higher incidence of hyperactivity and neurologic problems.

Question 15

A patient who is an alcoholic is brought to the inpatient psychiatric unit saying that he does not know where he is or what day it is.Because he has a history of heavy drinking,you suspect that he is having:

Accepted Answer

Blackouts are common with heavy drinking over time.The patient data support that the memory loss is associated with the alcohol use,and that blackouts would be an expected outcome.

Question 16

The nurse cautions a patient who is taking disulfiram (Antabuse)that ______________ should be avoided to prevent the accidental activation of Antabuse.

Accepted Answer

Mouthwash contains alcohol and can trigger the effect of an Antabuse reaction.The alcoholic taking Antabuse needs to be aware of the hidden alcohol in some commonly used mouthwashes and other over-the-counter drugs.

Question 17

During the taking of a medical history,the patient who is addicted to heroin reports he only uses the drug a few times a week.The nurse's best response that would disclose more precise information would be:

Accepted Answer

When trying to get a health history on a patient with a substance abuse problem,the best method is an open discussion of the drug use.The discussion should be open and nonjudgmental.By requesting a scale,the patient's response will be more informative.

Question 18

When an alcoholic,who was brought in 12 hours earlier in an intoxicated state,begins to exhibit tremors,has increased blood pressure,and is agitated,the nurse assesses that the patient is in:

Accepted Answer

The signs of early withdrawal from alcohol are agitation and elevated vital signs.These warning signs usually occur 6 to 12 hours after the last drink.

Question 19

In assisting with the development of a nursing care plan for a patient who has been using cocaine for 5 years,the nurse will include provisions to deal with:

Accepted Answer

Cocaine users can be depressed for as long as 2 years after quitting drug use.An antidepressant such as bupropion (Wellbutrin)is helpful in treating the depression.

Question 20

A patient with an alcohol addiction says,"My drinking is all my wife's fault.She makes me so crazy I just have to have a drink." This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The patient in this scenario is projecting.He is blaming his wife for his drinking problem,rather than accepting that the drinking is his problem.

Quiz 56: Substance-Related Disorders