ATI Mental Health: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypotension
B. Fine tremors of both hands
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Fine tremors of both hands are a common sign of alcohol withdrawal, along
with restlessness and irritability.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing opioid overdose. Which of
the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Disulfiram
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression caused
by opioid overdose.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about the CAGE questionnaire. What is the
purpose of this tool?
A. To diagnose the severity of withdrawal symptoms
B. To determine the legal level of intoxication
C. To identify the specific substance used
D. To screen for potential substance use disorders
Answer: D
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool used to identify potential issues
with substance use, particularly alcohol.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a prescription for disulfiram.
Which of the following substances should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Orange juice
B. Aspirin
C. Carbonated water
D. Vanilla extract
Answer: D
Rationale: Vanilla extract often contains alcohol, which can trigger a severe reaction when
taken with disulfiram.
5. A nurse is caring for a client undergoing withdrawal from heroin. Which of the
following symptoms should the nurse expect?
A. Constipation
B. Euphoria
C. Pinpoint pupils
D. Insomnia and rhinorrhea
Answer: D
Rationale: Heroin withdrawal typically presents with flu-like symptoms including
insomnia, rhinorrhea (runny nose), and muscle aches.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client who has used cocaine. Which of the following
physical findings is expected?
A. Constricted pupils
B. Slowed heart rate
C. Hypothermia
D. Dilated pupils
Answer: D
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant that causes dilated pupils (mydriasis), tachycardia, and
hypertension.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The nurse
should expect to administer which of the following?
A. Thiamine
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Folic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome results from a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency,
commonly seen in chronic alcohol use disorder.
8. Which of the following medications is used to decrease cravings in clients
who have alcohol use disorder?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Naltrexone
C. Flumazenil
D. Clonidine
Answer: B
Rationale: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that can suppress the craving and
pleasurable effects of alcohol.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypotension
B. Fine tremors of both hands
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Fine tremors of both hands are a common sign of alcohol withdrawal, along
with restlessness and irritability.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing opioid overdose. Which of
the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Disulfiram
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression caused
by opioid overdose.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about the CAGE questionnaire. What is the
purpose of this tool?
A. To diagnose the severity of withdrawal symptoms
B. To determine the legal level of intoxication
C. To identify the specific substance used
D. To screen for potential substance use disorders
Answer: D
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool used to identify potential issues
with substance use, particularly alcohol.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a prescription for disulfiram.
Which of the following substances should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Orange juice
B. Aspirin
C. Carbonated water
D. Vanilla extract
Answer: D
Rationale: Vanilla extract often contains alcohol, which can trigger a severe reaction when
taken with disulfiram.
5. A nurse is caring for a client undergoing withdrawal from heroin. Which of the
following symptoms should the nurse expect?
A. Constipation
B. Euphoria
C. Pinpoint pupils
D. Insomnia and rhinorrhea
Answer: D
Rationale: Heroin withdrawal typically presents with flu-like symptoms including
insomnia, rhinorrhea (runny nose), and muscle aches.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client who has used cocaine. Which of the following
physical findings is expected?
A. Constricted pupils
B. Slowed heart rate
C. Hypothermia
D. Dilated pupils
Answer: D
Rationale: Cocaine is a stimulant that causes dilated pupils (mydriasis), tachycardia, and
hypertension.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The nurse
should expect to administer which of the following?
A. Thiamine
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Folic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome results from a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency,
commonly seen in chronic alcohol use disorder.
8. Which of the following medications is used to decrease cravings in clients
who have alcohol use disorder?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Naltrexone
C. Flumazenil
D. Clonidine
Answer: B
Rationale: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that can suppress the craving and
pleasurable effects of alcohol.
