Alcoholism & Detox Nursing Practice Exam
1. A patient is admitted with a history of chronic alcohol use and is
experiencing tremors, anxiety, and nausea. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths
B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines
C. Place the patient on a strict diet
D. Request a psychiatric consult
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment for alcohol
withdrawal to prevent complications such as seizures and delirium
tremens.
2. A patient undergoing alcohol detox is showing signs of confusion,
hallucinations, and fever. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Mild alcohol withdrawal
B. Wernicke’s encephalopathy
C. Delirium tremens (DTs)
D. Korsakoff syndrome
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening form of
alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, hallucinations,
tremors, and autonomic hyperactivity.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic alcoholism. Which
vitamin deficiency is most commonly associated with chronic
alcohol use?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
D. Vitamin K
,Rationale: Chronic alcohol use often leads to thiamine deficiency,
which can result in Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff
syndrome.
4. A patient in alcohol withdrawal has a blood pressure of 180/100
mmHg, heart rate of 120 bpm, and diaphoresis. The nurse should:
A. Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
B. Administer prescribed antihypertensives and benzodiazepines
C. Encourage oral hydration only
D. Apply cold compresses
Rationale: Severe autonomic hyperactivity in alcohol withdrawal
requires prompt pharmacological intervention to prevent
complications such as seizures and cardiovascular events.
5. During detox, a patient reports visual hallucinations and severe
agitation. The most critical nursing action is to:
A. Offer reassurance
B. Ensure patient safety and implement seizure precautions
C. Encourage family presence
D. Provide a high-calorie snack
Rationale: Patients experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal are at
high risk for injury due to agitation and hallucinations; safety
precautions are essential.
6. Which laboratory test is most useful in assessing chronic alcohol
use?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Serum potassium
C. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
D. Fasting blood glucose
,Rationale: GGT levels are often elevated in chronic alcohol users,
indicating liver enzyme induction due to alcohol consumption.
7. A patient with alcohol dependence asks why they are given
thiamine before glucose. The nurse explains:
A. Glucose increases energy
B. Thiamine prevents hypoglycemia
C. Administering glucose first can precipitate Wernicke’s
encephalopathy in thiamine-deficient patients
D. Glucose enhances thiamine absorption
Rationale: In patients with chronic alcoholism, giving glucose without
thiamine can precipitate Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to existing
thiamine deficiency.
8. A patient reports drinking heavily every day but has never
experienced withdrawal symptoms. The nurse understands this
may be:
A. Psychological dependence only
B. Tolerance without physical dependence
C. Wernicke’s encephalopathy
D. Delirium tremens
Rationale: Tolerance can develop in chronic alcohol use without
physical dependence, meaning withdrawal symptoms may not occur if
drinking is stopped.
9. Which assessment finding indicates early alcohol withdrawal?
A. Confusion and fever
B. Tremors, anxiety, and insomnia
C. Seizures
D. Hallucinations
, Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal typically presents with mild
tremors, anxiety, irritability, nausea, and insomnia, usually within 6–
12 hours after the last drink.
10. The nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with alcohol
use disorder. Which long-term intervention is most effective for
preventing relapse?
A. Prescribing PRN sedatives
B. Referral to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or structured
rehabilitation programs
C. Increased nutritional supplements
D. Limiting social interactions
Rationale: Long-term relapse prevention is most effective when
patients engage in structured programs, counseling, and peer support
such as AA.
11. A patient in alcohol withdrawal is experiencing mild tremors
and nausea 8 hours after their last drink. The nurse should:
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises only
B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines
C. Begin IV antibiotics
D. Restrict fluid intake
Rationale: Early withdrawal symptoms are best managed with
benzodiazepines to prevent progression to severe withdrawal.
12. The nurse recognizes which symptom as a sign of severe
alcohol withdrawal?
A. Mild insomnia
B. Anxiety
C. Seizures
D. Slight tremor
1. A patient is admitted with a history of chronic alcohol use and is
experiencing tremors, anxiety, and nausea. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths
B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines
C. Place the patient on a strict diet
D. Request a psychiatric consult
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment for alcohol
withdrawal to prevent complications such as seizures and delirium
tremens.
2. A patient undergoing alcohol detox is showing signs of confusion,
hallucinations, and fever. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Mild alcohol withdrawal
B. Wernicke’s encephalopathy
C. Delirium tremens (DTs)
D. Korsakoff syndrome
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening form of
alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, hallucinations,
tremors, and autonomic hyperactivity.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic alcoholism. Which
vitamin deficiency is most commonly associated with chronic
alcohol use?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
D. Vitamin K
,Rationale: Chronic alcohol use often leads to thiamine deficiency,
which can result in Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff
syndrome.
4. A patient in alcohol withdrawal has a blood pressure of 180/100
mmHg, heart rate of 120 bpm, and diaphoresis. The nurse should:
A. Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
B. Administer prescribed antihypertensives and benzodiazepines
C. Encourage oral hydration only
D. Apply cold compresses
Rationale: Severe autonomic hyperactivity in alcohol withdrawal
requires prompt pharmacological intervention to prevent
complications such as seizures and cardiovascular events.
5. During detox, a patient reports visual hallucinations and severe
agitation. The most critical nursing action is to:
A. Offer reassurance
B. Ensure patient safety and implement seizure precautions
C. Encourage family presence
D. Provide a high-calorie snack
Rationale: Patients experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal are at
high risk for injury due to agitation and hallucinations; safety
precautions are essential.
6. Which laboratory test is most useful in assessing chronic alcohol
use?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Serum potassium
C. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
D. Fasting blood glucose
,Rationale: GGT levels are often elevated in chronic alcohol users,
indicating liver enzyme induction due to alcohol consumption.
7. A patient with alcohol dependence asks why they are given
thiamine before glucose. The nurse explains:
A. Glucose increases energy
B. Thiamine prevents hypoglycemia
C. Administering glucose first can precipitate Wernicke’s
encephalopathy in thiamine-deficient patients
D. Glucose enhances thiamine absorption
Rationale: In patients with chronic alcoholism, giving glucose without
thiamine can precipitate Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to existing
thiamine deficiency.
8. A patient reports drinking heavily every day but has never
experienced withdrawal symptoms. The nurse understands this
may be:
A. Psychological dependence only
B. Tolerance without physical dependence
C. Wernicke’s encephalopathy
D. Delirium tremens
Rationale: Tolerance can develop in chronic alcohol use without
physical dependence, meaning withdrawal symptoms may not occur if
drinking is stopped.
9. Which assessment finding indicates early alcohol withdrawal?
A. Confusion and fever
B. Tremors, anxiety, and insomnia
C. Seizures
D. Hallucinations
, Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal typically presents with mild
tremors, anxiety, irritability, nausea, and insomnia, usually within 6–
12 hours after the last drink.
10. The nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with alcohol
use disorder. Which long-term intervention is most effective for
preventing relapse?
A. Prescribing PRN sedatives
B. Referral to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or structured
rehabilitation programs
C. Increased nutritional supplements
D. Limiting social interactions
Rationale: Long-term relapse prevention is most effective when
patients engage in structured programs, counseling, and peer support
such as AA.
11. A patient in alcohol withdrawal is experiencing mild tremors
and nausea 8 hours after their last drink. The nurse should:
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises only
B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines
C. Begin IV antibiotics
D. Restrict fluid intake
Rationale: Early withdrawal symptoms are best managed with
benzodiazepines to prevent progression to severe withdrawal.
12. The nurse recognizes which symptom as a sign of severe
alcohol withdrawal?
A. Mild insomnia
B. Anxiety
C. Seizures
D. Slight tremor
