PSYC 324 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Which distinction about Nicotine replacement therapy is most accurate?
A. the therapy is professionally delivered whereas mutual-support meetings themselves are peer-based
B. it reverses opioids but does not directly reverse non-opioid sedatives such as xylazine
C. it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the user to tobacco smoke combustion toxicants
D. unlike nicotine replacement it does not deliver nicotine
Correct Answer: C. it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the user to tobacco smoke
combustion toxicants
Explanation: The important distinction is that it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the
user to tobacco smoke combustion toxicants. Understanding how treatments differ prevents false either-or choices
and mechanism errors.
2. Which conclusion follows most reasonably from Continuity of care after incarceration?
A. continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition
B. uncertain composition creates special concern for interactions and inadvertent exposure to banned substances
C. trial quality depends on allocation, follow-up, analysis, outcome validity, and applicability
D. testing programs must combine analytic validity, due process, and education
Correct Answer: A. continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a vulnerable
transition
Explanation: The best conclusion is that continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a
vulnerable transition. It applies the concept without claiming more than the available evidence supports.
3. Which term is best defined as the personal, social, community, and practical resources that support sustained
recovery?
A. Contingency management
B. Recovery capital
C. Motivational interviewing
D. Withdrawal management
Correct Answer: B. Recovery capital
Explanation: Recovery capital means the personal, social, community, and practical resources that support
sustained recovery. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms often answer a different clinical
or research question.
,4. Which statement most usefully distinguishes Diuretic misuse in sport from a commonly confused substance
or concept?
A. diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or aerobic capacity
B. anabolic steroids are performance-enhancing hormones rather than drugs typically taken for acute
intoxication
C. blood doping is not a psychoactive drug but belongs with performance-enhancement practices because the
goal is physiologic advantage
D. erythropoietin increases oxygen-carrying capacity rather than muscle mass directly
Correct Answer: A. diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or aerobic capacity
Explanation: The key distinction is that diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or
aerobic capacity. Examining mechanism, time course, and purpose of use is often more informative than relying on
street labels.
5. A person presents after recent substance use with a pattern most consistent with sedation, euphoria, pinpoint
pupils, and respiratory slowing may appear if opioid content is present. Which substance or substance category
best fits this presentation when the history also supports the expected pharmacology?
A. Opioid plus benzodiazepine co-use
B. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl
C. Xylazine-adulterated opioid supply
D. Alcohol plus benzodiazepine co-use
Correct Answer: B. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl
Explanation: Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl fits because its characteristic acute pattern includes sedation,
euphoria, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory slowing may appear if opioid content is present. A final clinical
conclusion would still consider dose, route, co-use, and medical alternatives.
6. Which caution is most important when planning or explaining Family-based adolescent treatment?
A. skills must be practiced in real situations and treatment should address co-occurring problems rather than use
generic advice only
B. nausea and vivid dreams are common adverse effects and clinical history should guide monitoring
C. a negative result does not guarantee safety because sampling and detection limitations exist and other potent
analogs may be missed
D. treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent in isolation from developmental
context
Correct Answer: D. treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent in isolation from
developmental context
Explanation: The central caution is that treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent
in isolation from developmental context. Evidence-based care includes anticipating preventable harms as well as
selecting an effective intervention.
, 7. A case has already been identified as involving Licit versus illicit status. Which follow-up interpretation
best uses that concept in a practical decision?
A. Apply the concept by assuming that acute intoxication requires attention to safety even when long-term
diagnostic status is uncertain
B. Apply the concept by recognizing that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all matter when
evaluating harm
C. Apply the concept by assuming that alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, prescription sedatives, and illicit drugs can all
be psychoactive
D. Apply the concept by assuming that clinical context and the full syndrome determine whether SUD criteria
are met
Correct Answer: B. Apply the concept by recognizing that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all
matter when evaluating harm
Explanation: The strongest application is to recognize that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all
matter when evaluating harm. Naming a concept is not enough; it must be used within its actual limits and decision
context.
8. Which caution is most important when planning or explaining Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment?
A. renal function and the multiple-daily-dose schedule are important practical considerations
B. confrontation and shaming undermine the method
C. respiratory depression and drug interactions remain important if dosing is excessive or combined with
depressants
D. clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from independent psychiatric symptoms
without indefinitely postponing care
Correct Answer: D. clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from independent psychiatric
symptoms without indefinitely postponing care
Explanation: The central caution is that clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from
independent psychiatric symptoms without indefinitely postponing care. Evidence-based care includes anticipating
preventable harms as well as selecting an effective intervention.
9. Which term is best defined as interventions intended to prevent initiation or onset before a problem has
developed?
A. Risk factor
B. Primary prevention
C. Secondary prevention
D. Selective prevention
Correct Answer: B. Primary prevention
Explanation: Primary prevention means interventions intended to prevent initiation or onset before a problem has
developed. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms often answer a different clinical or
research question.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. Which distinction about Nicotine replacement therapy is most accurate?
A. the therapy is professionally delivered whereas mutual-support meetings themselves are peer-based
B. it reverses opioids but does not directly reverse non-opioid sedatives such as xylazine
C. it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the user to tobacco smoke combustion toxicants
D. unlike nicotine replacement it does not deliver nicotine
Correct Answer: C. it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the user to tobacco smoke
combustion toxicants
Explanation: The important distinction is that it provides nicotine in a controlled form rather than exposing the
user to tobacco smoke combustion toxicants. Understanding how treatments differ prevents false either-or choices
and mechanism errors.
2. Which conclusion follows most reasonably from Continuity of care after incarceration?
A. continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition
B. uncertain composition creates special concern for interactions and inadvertent exposure to banned substances
C. trial quality depends on allocation, follow-up, analysis, outcome validity, and applicability
D. testing programs must combine analytic validity, due process, and education
Correct Answer: A. continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a vulnerable
transition
Explanation: The best conclusion is that continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment interruption during a
vulnerable transition. It applies the concept without claiming more than the available evidence supports.
3. Which term is best defined as the personal, social, community, and practical resources that support sustained
recovery?
A. Contingency management
B. Recovery capital
C. Motivational interviewing
D. Withdrawal management
Correct Answer: B. Recovery capital
Explanation: Recovery capital means the personal, social, community, and practical resources that support
sustained recovery. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms often answer a different clinical
or research question.
,4. Which statement most usefully distinguishes Diuretic misuse in sport from a commonly confused substance
or concept?
A. diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or aerobic capacity
B. anabolic steroids are performance-enhancing hormones rather than drugs typically taken for acute
intoxication
C. blood doping is not a psychoactive drug but belongs with performance-enhancement practices because the
goal is physiologic advantage
D. erythropoietin increases oxygen-carrying capacity rather than muscle mass directly
Correct Answer: A. diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or aerobic capacity
Explanation: The key distinction is that diuretics alter fluid balance rather than directly increasing strength or
aerobic capacity. Examining mechanism, time course, and purpose of use is often more informative than relying on
street labels.
5. A person presents after recent substance use with a pattern most consistent with sedation, euphoria, pinpoint
pupils, and respiratory slowing may appear if opioid content is present. Which substance or substance category
best fits this presentation when the history also supports the expected pharmacology?
A. Opioid plus benzodiazepine co-use
B. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl
C. Xylazine-adulterated opioid supply
D. Alcohol plus benzodiazepine co-use
Correct Answer: B. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl
Explanation: Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl fits because its characteristic acute pattern includes sedation,
euphoria, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory slowing may appear if opioid content is present. A final clinical
conclusion would still consider dose, route, co-use, and medical alternatives.
6. Which caution is most important when planning or explaining Family-based adolescent treatment?
A. skills must be practiced in real situations and treatment should address co-occurring problems rather than use
generic advice only
B. nausea and vivid dreams are common adverse effects and clinical history should guide monitoring
C. a negative result does not guarantee safety because sampling and detection limitations exist and other potent
analogs may be missed
D. treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent in isolation from developmental
context
Correct Answer: D. treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent in isolation from
developmental context
Explanation: The central caution is that treatment should avoid simply blaming parents or treating the adolescent
in isolation from developmental context. Evidence-based care includes anticipating preventable harms as well as
selecting an effective intervention.
, 7. A case has already been identified as involving Licit versus illicit status. Which follow-up interpretation
best uses that concept in a practical decision?
A. Apply the concept by assuming that acute intoxication requires attention to safety even when long-term
diagnostic status is uncertain
B. Apply the concept by recognizing that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all matter when
evaluating harm
C. Apply the concept by assuming that alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, prescription sedatives, and illicit drugs can all
be psychoactive
D. Apply the concept by assuming that clinical context and the full syndrome determine whether SUD criteria
are met
Correct Answer: B. Apply the concept by recognizing that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all
matter when evaluating harm
Explanation: The strongest application is to recognize that policy, dose, route, context, and pharmacology all
matter when evaluating harm. Naming a concept is not enough; it must be used within its actual limits and decision
context.
8. Which caution is most important when planning or explaining Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment?
A. renal function and the multiple-daily-dose schedule are important practical considerations
B. confrontation and shaming undermine the method
C. respiratory depression and drug interactions remain important if dosing is excessive or combined with
depressants
D. clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from independent psychiatric symptoms
without indefinitely postponing care
Correct Answer: D. clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from independent psychiatric
symptoms without indefinitely postponing care
Explanation: The central caution is that clinicians must distinguish intoxication or withdrawal effects from
independent psychiatric symptoms without indefinitely postponing care. Evidence-based care includes anticipating
preventable harms as well as selecting an effective intervention.
9. Which term is best defined as interventions intended to prevent initiation or onset before a problem has
developed?
A. Risk factor
B. Primary prevention
C. Secondary prevention
D. Selective prevention
Correct Answer: B. Primary prevention
Explanation: Primary prevention means interventions intended to prevent initiation or onset before a problem has
developed. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms often answer a different clinical or
research question.
