NUR 214 (Mental Health - Test 1) NCLEX Style Practice Questions
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: A public health nurse is presenting a teaching session about alcohol use to a group of
college seniors. During the session, one of the students admits to frequent alcohol use. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Initiate a community assessment of the campus
B) Contact the campus nurse and refer the student for services
C) Notify campus security that the student may be driving while intoxicated
D) Complete a crisis assessment with the student **P-22**
Answer: D (Complete a crisis assessment with the student)
Question 2: A nurse educator is teaching a group of students about the comprehensive theory of
addiction proposed by George Engel. Which of the following student statements indicate proper
understanding of this theory? (Select all that apply)
A) "Addiction occurs because of a lack of emotional attachment."
B) "There is a biological factor involved in the development of addiction."
C) "There are social factors that contribute to the development of addiction."
D) "There is a moral factor involved in the development of addiction."
E) "There are psychologic elements involved in the development of addiction." **P-22**
Answer: B, C, & E ( "There is a biological factor involved in the development of addiction.") ("There are
social factors that contribute to the development of addiction.") ("There are psychologic elements involved
in the development of addiction.")
Question 3: During visitation on the unit, a nurse is observing the family dynamics of an adolescent
client who has an addiction problem. In doing so, the nurse concludes that the family is exhibiting
codependence. Which of the following behaviors on the part of the family supports the nurse's
conclusion?
A) The family is intolerant of any frustration on the part of the client
B) The family engages in actions that enable the client's self-destructive behavior
C) The family is argumentative about seemingly insignificant issues
D) The family exhibits high levels of impatience **P-22**
Answer: B (The family engages in actions that enable the client's self-destructive behavior)
Page 1
,Question 4: The nurse is conducting a crisis assessment for a client who admits to cocaine use. Which
questions are appropriate for the nurse to ask the client during this process? (Select all that apply)
A) "Do you have access to any recreational centers?"
B) "What is the most significant problem affecting your life right now?"
C) "How long has this been a problem?"
D) "What are the living conditions in your neighborhood?"
E) "What other stresses are you dealing with?" **P-22**
Answer: B, C, & E ("What is the most significant problem affecting your life right now?") ("How long has
this been a problem?") ("What other stresses are you dealing with?")
Question 5: A client is admitted to the emergency department with signs of drug use. The client reports
ingesting Percocet and is currently experiencing respiratory depression. Based on this information,
which prescription should the nurse anticipate for this client?
A) Diazepam
B) Haldol
C) Vitamin B12
D) Naloxone **P-22**
Answer: D (Naloxone (Narcan))
Question 6: A nurse who runs an addiction treatment group at an inner-city clinic has noticed that
many of the group's participants struggle with the stigma attached to their condition. Which of the
following statements on the part of the nurse would best help participants overcome this stigma?
A) "Relapse is a common feature of substance abuse."
B) "Heredity and complex environmental influences predispose some people to substance dependence."
C) "People who have an addiction problem cannot be held accountable for their actions."
D) "Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are both accepted treatment approaches." **P-22**
Answer: B ("Heredity and complex environmental influences predispose some people to substance
dependence.")
Question 7: An employee health nurse is providing care to a worker who was injured on the job. The
client has a history of drug addiction and is currently enrolled in a 12-step recovery program. In order
to determine whether the employee was impaired at the time of the accident, which diagnostic tool
should the nurse use?
A) Liver enzymes
B) Stool guaiac
C) Urine toxicology testing
D) Hair testing **P-22**
Answer: C (Urine toxicology testing)
Page 2
,Question 8: The nurse is providing care for a client who admits to alcohol addiction. The client states
she is able to hide the addiction from family and friends. Based on this information, which independent
nursing intervention is appropriate for this client?
A) Assertiveness training
B) Milieu therapy
C) Family therapy
D) Communication training **P-22**
Answer: D (Communication training)
Question 9: A client with a history of alcohol abuse is being discharged to a treatment facility. Which
prescription does the nurse anticipate for this client?
A) Disulfiram
B) Naloxone
C) Bupropion hydrochloride
D) Varenicline **P-22**
Answer: A (Disulfiram (Antabuse))
Question 10: A community health nurse is providing teaching to the faculty of a local high school about
preventing, recognizing, and treating substance use and addiction in teenagers. Which of the following
statements on the part of the faculty members suggests that further teaching is necessary?
A) "The earlier a teenager begins using substances, the more likely it is that the teenager will develop an
addiction problem."
B) "Teenagers whose parents suffer from addiction are at greater risk of addiction themselves."
C) "The brain stops developing during the teenage years, so any substance-related brain changes that occur
during this period will likely affect a person for the rest of his or her life."
D) "Group therapy can be beneficial for teenagers with addiction, but it comes with a risk of unintended
adverse effects." **P-22**
Answer: C ("The brain stops developing during the teenage years, so any substance-related brain changes
that occur during this period will likely affect a person for the rest of his or her life.")
Page 3
, Question 11: A nurse is talking with the adult daughter of an 80-year-old client who was recently
discovered to be abusing prescription narcotics. The daughter expresses frustration that this substance
abuse wasn't discovered sooner, and she asks the nurse how her father's previous healthcare providers
could have overlooked this problem. Which of the following statements would not be appropriate for
the nurse to include in her reply?
A) "Substance abuse and addiction are almost unheard of among older adults, so few providers would consider
the possibility of these diagnoses when working with clients like your father."
B) "Older adults often choose not to tell their providers about substance use because they either don't recognize
they have a problem or don't feel they need treatment."
C) "Diagnosis of substance abuse can be difficult in older clients because their symptoms sometimes mimic
those of other disorders."
D) "There is currently little research data on substance abuse in the older adult population, which means many
providers are unaware of the actual extent of this problem." **P-22**
Answer: A ("Substance abuse and addiction are almost unheard of among older adults, so few providers
would consider the possibility of these diagnoses when working with clients like your father.")
Question 12: Which of the following terms refers to a physiologic need for a substance that the client
cannot control and that results in withdrawal symptoms if the substance is withheld?
A) Tolerance
B) Dependence
C) Addiction
D) Codependence **P-22**
Answer: B (Dependence)
Question 13: When used as part of behavioral therapy for addictions, token economies function as a
form of:
A) Punishment
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Extinction **P-22**
Answer: C (Positive Reinforcement)
Question 14: A client has been admitted to a healthcare facility for treatment for substance addiction.
Shortly after entering the facility, the client received a prescription for phenytoin. Based on this data,
which of the following statements is most likely true?
A) The client is addicted to opioids
B) The client is experiencing cravings for nicotine
C) The client has high levels of anxiety
D) The client is experiencing withdrawal-related seizure activity **P-22**
Answer: D (The client is experiencing withdrawal-related seizure activity)
Page 4
with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: A public health nurse is presenting a teaching session about alcohol use to a group of
college seniors. During the session, one of the students admits to frequent alcohol use. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A) Initiate a community assessment of the campus
B) Contact the campus nurse and refer the student for services
C) Notify campus security that the student may be driving while intoxicated
D) Complete a crisis assessment with the student **P-22**
Answer: D (Complete a crisis assessment with the student)
Question 2: A nurse educator is teaching a group of students about the comprehensive theory of
addiction proposed by George Engel. Which of the following student statements indicate proper
understanding of this theory? (Select all that apply)
A) "Addiction occurs because of a lack of emotional attachment."
B) "There is a biological factor involved in the development of addiction."
C) "There are social factors that contribute to the development of addiction."
D) "There is a moral factor involved in the development of addiction."
E) "There are psychologic elements involved in the development of addiction." **P-22**
Answer: B, C, & E ( "There is a biological factor involved in the development of addiction.") ("There are
social factors that contribute to the development of addiction.") ("There are psychologic elements involved
in the development of addiction.")
Question 3: During visitation on the unit, a nurse is observing the family dynamics of an adolescent
client who has an addiction problem. In doing so, the nurse concludes that the family is exhibiting
codependence. Which of the following behaviors on the part of the family supports the nurse's
conclusion?
A) The family is intolerant of any frustration on the part of the client
B) The family engages in actions that enable the client's self-destructive behavior
C) The family is argumentative about seemingly insignificant issues
D) The family exhibits high levels of impatience **P-22**
Answer: B (The family engages in actions that enable the client's self-destructive behavior)
Page 1
,Question 4: The nurse is conducting a crisis assessment for a client who admits to cocaine use. Which
questions are appropriate for the nurse to ask the client during this process? (Select all that apply)
A) "Do you have access to any recreational centers?"
B) "What is the most significant problem affecting your life right now?"
C) "How long has this been a problem?"
D) "What are the living conditions in your neighborhood?"
E) "What other stresses are you dealing with?" **P-22**
Answer: B, C, & E ("What is the most significant problem affecting your life right now?") ("How long has
this been a problem?") ("What other stresses are you dealing with?")
Question 5: A client is admitted to the emergency department with signs of drug use. The client reports
ingesting Percocet and is currently experiencing respiratory depression. Based on this information,
which prescription should the nurse anticipate for this client?
A) Diazepam
B) Haldol
C) Vitamin B12
D) Naloxone **P-22**
Answer: D (Naloxone (Narcan))
Question 6: A nurse who runs an addiction treatment group at an inner-city clinic has noticed that
many of the group's participants struggle with the stigma attached to their condition. Which of the
following statements on the part of the nurse would best help participants overcome this stigma?
A) "Relapse is a common feature of substance abuse."
B) "Heredity and complex environmental influences predispose some people to substance dependence."
C) "People who have an addiction problem cannot be held accountable for their actions."
D) "Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are both accepted treatment approaches." **P-22**
Answer: B ("Heredity and complex environmental influences predispose some people to substance
dependence.")
Question 7: An employee health nurse is providing care to a worker who was injured on the job. The
client has a history of drug addiction and is currently enrolled in a 12-step recovery program. In order
to determine whether the employee was impaired at the time of the accident, which diagnostic tool
should the nurse use?
A) Liver enzymes
B) Stool guaiac
C) Urine toxicology testing
D) Hair testing **P-22**
Answer: C (Urine toxicology testing)
Page 2
,Question 8: The nurse is providing care for a client who admits to alcohol addiction. The client states
she is able to hide the addiction from family and friends. Based on this information, which independent
nursing intervention is appropriate for this client?
A) Assertiveness training
B) Milieu therapy
C) Family therapy
D) Communication training **P-22**
Answer: D (Communication training)
Question 9: A client with a history of alcohol abuse is being discharged to a treatment facility. Which
prescription does the nurse anticipate for this client?
A) Disulfiram
B) Naloxone
C) Bupropion hydrochloride
D) Varenicline **P-22**
Answer: A (Disulfiram (Antabuse))
Question 10: A community health nurse is providing teaching to the faculty of a local high school about
preventing, recognizing, and treating substance use and addiction in teenagers. Which of the following
statements on the part of the faculty members suggests that further teaching is necessary?
A) "The earlier a teenager begins using substances, the more likely it is that the teenager will develop an
addiction problem."
B) "Teenagers whose parents suffer from addiction are at greater risk of addiction themselves."
C) "The brain stops developing during the teenage years, so any substance-related brain changes that occur
during this period will likely affect a person for the rest of his or her life."
D) "Group therapy can be beneficial for teenagers with addiction, but it comes with a risk of unintended
adverse effects." **P-22**
Answer: C ("The brain stops developing during the teenage years, so any substance-related brain changes
that occur during this period will likely affect a person for the rest of his or her life.")
Page 3
, Question 11: A nurse is talking with the adult daughter of an 80-year-old client who was recently
discovered to be abusing prescription narcotics. The daughter expresses frustration that this substance
abuse wasn't discovered sooner, and she asks the nurse how her father's previous healthcare providers
could have overlooked this problem. Which of the following statements would not be appropriate for
the nurse to include in her reply?
A) "Substance abuse and addiction are almost unheard of among older adults, so few providers would consider
the possibility of these diagnoses when working with clients like your father."
B) "Older adults often choose not to tell their providers about substance use because they either don't recognize
they have a problem or don't feel they need treatment."
C) "Diagnosis of substance abuse can be difficult in older clients because their symptoms sometimes mimic
those of other disorders."
D) "There is currently little research data on substance abuse in the older adult population, which means many
providers are unaware of the actual extent of this problem." **P-22**
Answer: A ("Substance abuse and addiction are almost unheard of among older adults, so few providers
would consider the possibility of these diagnoses when working with clients like your father.")
Question 12: Which of the following terms refers to a physiologic need for a substance that the client
cannot control and that results in withdrawal symptoms if the substance is withheld?
A) Tolerance
B) Dependence
C) Addiction
D) Codependence **P-22**
Answer: B (Dependence)
Question 13: When used as part of behavioral therapy for addictions, token economies function as a
form of:
A) Punishment
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Extinction **P-22**
Answer: C (Positive Reinforcement)
Question 14: A client has been admitted to a healthcare facility for treatment for substance addiction.
Shortly after entering the facility, the client received a prescription for phenytoin. Based on this data,
which of the following statements is most likely true?
A) The client is addicted to opioids
B) The client is experiencing cravings for nicotine
C) The client has high levels of anxiety
D) The client is experiencing withdrawal-related seizure activity **P-22**
Answer: D (The client is experiencing withdrawal-related seizure activity)
Page 4
