N244 – Nursing Pharmacology – Addiction and Substance Abuse
Questions and Answers
Select all that apply.
a Administering naloxone (Narcan) 0.4 mg intravenously
b Maintaining an accurate record of fluid intake and output
c Assessing the client's heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure
d Maintaining a quiet environment
e Assigning the client to one nurse for therapeutic intervention
d
Rationale
Withdrawal from amphetamines produces disorientation, as well as craving, fatigue, sleepiness,
and depression. The symptoms of weight loss, tachycardia, and paranoia are associated with
the abuse of amphetamines, not withdrawal from amphetamines. The nurse anticipates
that a client admitted for amphetamine addiction will develop withdrawal symptoms. The
nurse caring for this client would monitor for which symptom?
a Tachycardia
b Weight loss
,c Paranoia
d Disorientation
a,c,e
Rationale
During withdrawal from LSD, nonpharmacologic treatment includes speaking slowly and clearly
to the client; ensuring low stimuli with minimal light, sound, and activity; and having one
person reassure and open double quote"talk the client down.close double quote" Individual
and group therapy would be beneficial after the withdrawal of the substance. The nurse
caring for a client experiencing withdrawal from the hallucinogen LSD is aware that there are
nonpharmacologic treatments used during withdrawal of LSD, What are they?
Select all that apply.
a Speaking slowly and clearly to the client
b Recommending group therapy
c Having one person reassure and "talk the client down "
d Recommending individual therapy
e Ensuring low stimuli with minimal light, sound, and activity
d
Rationale
,Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade) blocks pathways to the brain that trigger the feeling of pleasure,
reducing the craving for alcohol. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a form of aversion therapy that
prevents the breakdown of alcohol, causing the symptoms of physical illness in an individual
who consumes alcohol while taking the medication. Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is useful in
treatment of esophageal varices if needed to reduce the risk of bleeding. Lorazepam (Ativan) is
associated with minimizing discomfort and preventing such adverse outcomes as seizures.
The nurse is caring for a client with known alcohol abuse. The client states he would like to
start medication for alcohol withdrawal, but he does not want the drug that makes him vomit.
He has heard there is a medication that helps reduce the craving for alcohol and would prefer
that one. The nurse recognizes the client is referring to which medication?
a Disulfiram (Antabuse), an alcohol antagonist
b Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor), a beta-blocker
c Lorazepam (Ativan), a benzodiazepine
d Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade), an opioid analgesic
a,d,e A client admitted 3 days ago is now experiencing alcohol withdrawal delirium. Blood
pressure is 100/60 mmHg, and pulse is 110 bpm. Tremor is noted, and the client is confused as
to place and time. Which nursing intervention should be implemented to promote safety for
the client during alcohol withdrawal?
Select all that apply.
a Assessing the client's level of orientation frequently
b Encouraging the client to verbalize fears
, c Teaching the client healthy coping mechanisms
d Using simple step-by-step instructions with the client
e Explaining all interventions before approaching the client
d
Rationale
The CIWA-Ar is used to monitor and medicate clients going through alcohol withdrawal. The
MAST indicates a potentially dangerous pattern of alcohol abuse. The CAGE questionnaire
signifies that a client has a problem with alcohol and may require treatment. The B-DAST
determines the severity of alcohol abuse. Which screening tool is used to monitor and
medicate clients going through alcohol withdrawal?
a MAST
b CAGE
c B-DAST
d CIWA-Ar
d The client on an inpatient unit shares with the nurse that he drinks alcohol only twice a
month, but that when he does, he drinks extremely large amounts at one sitting. The nurse
recognizes this behavior as which pattern of dependence?
Questions and Answers
Select all that apply.
a Administering naloxone (Narcan) 0.4 mg intravenously
b Maintaining an accurate record of fluid intake and output
c Assessing the client's heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure
d Maintaining a quiet environment
e Assigning the client to one nurse for therapeutic intervention
d
Rationale
Withdrawal from amphetamines produces disorientation, as well as craving, fatigue, sleepiness,
and depression. The symptoms of weight loss, tachycardia, and paranoia are associated with
the abuse of amphetamines, not withdrawal from amphetamines. The nurse anticipates
that a client admitted for amphetamine addiction will develop withdrawal symptoms. The
nurse caring for this client would monitor for which symptom?
a Tachycardia
b Weight loss
,c Paranoia
d Disorientation
a,c,e
Rationale
During withdrawal from LSD, nonpharmacologic treatment includes speaking slowly and clearly
to the client; ensuring low stimuli with minimal light, sound, and activity; and having one
person reassure and open double quote"talk the client down.close double quote" Individual
and group therapy would be beneficial after the withdrawal of the substance. The nurse
caring for a client experiencing withdrawal from the hallucinogen LSD is aware that there are
nonpharmacologic treatments used during withdrawal of LSD, What are they?
Select all that apply.
a Speaking slowly and clearly to the client
b Recommending group therapy
c Having one person reassure and "talk the client down "
d Recommending individual therapy
e Ensuring low stimuli with minimal light, sound, and activity
d
Rationale
,Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade) blocks pathways to the brain that trigger the feeling of pleasure,
reducing the craving for alcohol. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a form of aversion therapy that
prevents the breakdown of alcohol, causing the symptoms of physical illness in an individual
who consumes alcohol while taking the medication. Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is useful in
treatment of esophageal varices if needed to reduce the risk of bleeding. Lorazepam (Ativan) is
associated with minimizing discomfort and preventing such adverse outcomes as seizures.
The nurse is caring for a client with known alcohol abuse. The client states he would like to
start medication for alcohol withdrawal, but he does not want the drug that makes him vomit.
He has heard there is a medication that helps reduce the craving for alcohol and would prefer
that one. The nurse recognizes the client is referring to which medication?
a Disulfiram (Antabuse), an alcohol antagonist
b Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor), a beta-blocker
c Lorazepam (Ativan), a benzodiazepine
d Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade), an opioid analgesic
a,d,e A client admitted 3 days ago is now experiencing alcohol withdrawal delirium. Blood
pressure is 100/60 mmHg, and pulse is 110 bpm. Tremor is noted, and the client is confused as
to place and time. Which nursing intervention should be implemented to promote safety for
the client during alcohol withdrawal?
Select all that apply.
a Assessing the client's level of orientation frequently
b Encouraging the client to verbalize fears
, c Teaching the client healthy coping mechanisms
d Using simple step-by-step instructions with the client
e Explaining all interventions before approaching the client
d
Rationale
The CIWA-Ar is used to monitor and medicate clients going through alcohol withdrawal. The
MAST indicates a potentially dangerous pattern of alcohol abuse. The CAGE questionnaire
signifies that a client has a problem with alcohol and may require treatment. The B-DAST
determines the severity of alcohol abuse. Which screening tool is used to monitor and
medicate clients going through alcohol withdrawal?
a MAST
b CAGE
c B-DAST
d CIWA-Ar
d The client on an inpatient unit shares with the nurse that he drinks alcohol only twice a
month, but that when he does, he drinks extremely large amounts at one sitting. The nurse
recognizes this behavior as which pattern of dependence?
