PSYC 324 FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team has correctly determined that Continuity of care after incarceration is relevant to its substance-use
question. What is the most defensible next use of that information?
A. Use the finding to conclude that critical evaluation can reduce susceptibility to misleading health claims and
normalization of risky behavior
B. Use the finding to conclude that test interpretation should consider timing, specimen, medications, and the
question being asked
C. Use the finding to conclude that predictive value depends on prevalence as well as test characteristics
D. Use the finding to support the practical implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment
interruption during a vulnerable transition
Correct Answer: D. Use the finding to support the practical implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk
and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition
Explanation: The sound next step is to use the concept for the implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk
and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition. This applies the evidence without extending it beyond
what the concept can support.
2. Which mistake would most undermine proper use of Relative risk?
A. assuming the word natural guarantees purity, safety, or legal status in sport
B. treating every unusual fill pattern as criminal intent without clinical assessment
C. accepting popularity or testimonials as equivalent to scientific evidence
D. interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline outcome is
Correct Answer: D. interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline outcome is
Explanation: The problematic step is interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline
outcome is. A sound approach recognizes that the ratio of risk in an exposed group to risk in an unexposed
comparison group.
3. A careful assessment identifies clinically significant problems involving Blood doping. Which management
approach is most consistent with current evidence and safety principles?
A. management focuses on stopping misuse and treating hematologic or cardiovascular complications
B. management centers on medical assessment and prevention of further unsafe manipulation
C. management focuses on fluid and electrolyte assessment and stopping unsafe misuse
D. management addresses endocrine complications and the reasons for continued misuse
Correct Answer: B. management centers on medical assessment and prevention of further unsafe manipulation
Explanation: The most appropriate direction is that management centers on medical assessment and prevention of
further unsafe manipulation. Treatment should be individualized to severity, co-occurring conditions, patient
preference, and acute medical risk.
,4. Which term is best defined as peer-led or peer-based support in which people share recovery experience,
accountability, and coping resources?
A. SBIRT
B. Mutual-support group
C. Medication treatment for SUD
D. Withdrawal management
Correct Answer: B. Mutual-support group
Explanation: Mutual-support group means peer-led or peer-based support in which people share recovery
experience, accountability, and coping resources. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms
often answer a different clinical or research question.
5. Which statement best captures an important distinction involving Primary prevention?
A. selective prevention is based on elevated group risk, not current symptoms in each participant
B. indicated prevention is more targeted than universal or selective approaches
C. primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder
D. adolescence is a risk period but most adolescents do not inevitably develop SUD
Correct Answer: C. primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder
Explanation: The key distinction is that primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder.
Keeping related concepts separate improves interpretation of substance-use behavior and evidence.
6. Which statement best summarizes the evidence-based role of Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment?
A. varenicline is an effective FDA-approved smoking-cessation medication
B. integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for co-occurring disorders
C. behavioral studies support community reinforcement and related approaches
D. evidence-based MOUD reduces illicit opioid use and overdose risk
Correct Answer: B. integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for co-occurring disorders
Explanation: The best summary is that integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for
co-occurring disorders. The intervention should be integrated with other appropriate medical, behavioral, and
recovery supports.
7. Which term is best defined as a model emphasizing norms, social networks, inequality, availability,
marketing, policy, and cultural context?
A. Biopsychosocial model
B. Sociocultural model of addiction
C. Reward circuitry
D. Medical model of addiction
Correct Answer: B. Sociocultural model of addiction
Explanation: Sociocultural model of addiction means a model emphasizing norms, social networks, inequality,
availability, marketing, policy, and cultural context. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms
often answer a different clinical or research question.
, 8. Which statement most usefully distinguishes Methylphenidate from a commonly confused substance or
concept?
A. methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas amphetamine also strongly promotes
release
B. the same medication can have legitimate therapeutic use and misuse risk depending on indication, dose, route,
and pattern of use
C. cocaine mainly blocks monoamine reuptake whereas amphetamine-type stimulants more strongly promote
monoamine release
D. methamphetamine generally has a longer duration than cocaine and acts strongly by increasing monoamine
release
Correct Answer: A. methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas amphetamine also
strongly promotes release
Explanation: The key distinction is that methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas
amphetamine also strongly promotes release. Examining mechanism, time course, and purpose of use is often more
informative than relying on street labels.
9. A care team is comparing several evidence-based options and specifically considers Naltrexone for AUD.
Which choice best demonstrates treatment-to-problem matching?
A. Choose Naltrexone for OUD without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
B. Choose Naloxone without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
C. Match Naltrexone for AUD to the target situation: a patient with alcohol use disorder who wants help
reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication
D. Choose Methadone for OUD without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
Correct Answer: C. Match Naltrexone for AUD to the target situation: a patient with alcohol use disorder who
wants help reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication
Explanation: Appropriate matching means using Naltrexone for AUD when a patient with alcohol use disorder
who wants help reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication. Evidence-based
status alone does not make every intervention suitable for every substance or clinical goal.
10. Which reasoning error would most clearly undermine correct use of Elimination?
A. confusing metabolism rate with receptor mechanism
B. assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins
C. assuming all metabolites are inactive
D. comparing doses across routes without considering first-pass metabolism
Correct Answer: B. assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins
Explanation: The error is assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins. Correct use of
Elimination depends on recognizing that removal of a drug and its metabolites from the body, commonly through
urine, bile, breath, or other routes.
WITH ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team has correctly determined that Continuity of care after incarceration is relevant to its substance-use
question. What is the most defensible next use of that information?
A. Use the finding to conclude that critical evaluation can reduce susceptibility to misleading health claims and
normalization of risky behavior
B. Use the finding to conclude that test interpretation should consider timing, specimen, medications, and the
question being asked
C. Use the finding to conclude that predictive value depends on prevalence as well as test characteristics
D. Use the finding to support the practical implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk and treatment
interruption during a vulnerable transition
Correct Answer: D. Use the finding to support the practical implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk
and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition
Explanation: The sound next step is to use the concept for the implication that continuity can reduce overdose risk
and treatment interruption during a vulnerable transition. This applies the evidence without extending it beyond
what the concept can support.
2. Which mistake would most undermine proper use of Relative risk?
A. assuming the word natural guarantees purity, safety, or legal status in sport
B. treating every unusual fill pattern as criminal intent without clinical assessment
C. accepting popularity or testimonials as equivalent to scientific evidence
D. interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline outcome is
Correct Answer: D. interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline outcome is
Explanation: The problematic step is interpreting a large relative risk without considering how rare the baseline
outcome is. A sound approach recognizes that the ratio of risk in an exposed group to risk in an unexposed
comparison group.
3. A careful assessment identifies clinically significant problems involving Blood doping. Which management
approach is most consistent with current evidence and safety principles?
A. management focuses on stopping misuse and treating hematologic or cardiovascular complications
B. management centers on medical assessment and prevention of further unsafe manipulation
C. management focuses on fluid and electrolyte assessment and stopping unsafe misuse
D. management addresses endocrine complications and the reasons for continued misuse
Correct Answer: B. management centers on medical assessment and prevention of further unsafe manipulation
Explanation: The most appropriate direction is that management centers on medical assessment and prevention of
further unsafe manipulation. Treatment should be individualized to severity, co-occurring conditions, patient
preference, and acute medical risk.
,4. Which term is best defined as peer-led or peer-based support in which people share recovery experience,
accountability, and coping resources?
A. SBIRT
B. Mutual-support group
C. Medication treatment for SUD
D. Withdrawal management
Correct Answer: B. Mutual-support group
Explanation: Mutual-support group means peer-led or peer-based support in which people share recovery
experience, accountability, and coping resources. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms
often answer a different clinical or research question.
5. Which statement best captures an important distinction involving Primary prevention?
A. selective prevention is based on elevated group risk, not current symptoms in each participant
B. indicated prevention is more targeted than universal or selective approaches
C. primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder
D. adolescence is a risk period but most adolescents do not inevitably develop SUD
Correct Answer: C. primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder
Explanation: The key distinction is that primary prevention differs from treatment of an established disorder.
Keeping related concepts separate improves interpretation of substance-use behavior and evidence.
6. Which statement best summarizes the evidence-based role of Integrated dual-diagnosis treatment?
A. varenicline is an effective FDA-approved smoking-cessation medication
B. integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for co-occurring disorders
C. behavioral studies support community reinforcement and related approaches
D. evidence-based MOUD reduces illicit opioid use and overdose risk
Correct Answer: B. integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for co-occurring disorders
Explanation: The best summary is that integrated approaches improve coordination and engagement for
co-occurring disorders. The intervention should be integrated with other appropriate medical, behavioral, and
recovery supports.
7. Which term is best defined as a model emphasizing norms, social networks, inequality, availability,
marketing, policy, and cultural context?
A. Biopsychosocial model
B. Sociocultural model of addiction
C. Reward circuitry
D. Medical model of addiction
Correct Answer: B. Sociocultural model of addiction
Explanation: Sociocultural model of addiction means a model emphasizing norms, social networks, inequality,
availability, marketing, policy, and cultural context. The concept should be applied precisely because nearby terms
often answer a different clinical or research question.
, 8. Which statement most usefully distinguishes Methylphenidate from a commonly confused substance or
concept?
A. methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas amphetamine also strongly promotes
release
B. the same medication can have legitimate therapeutic use and misuse risk depending on indication, dose, route,
and pattern of use
C. cocaine mainly blocks monoamine reuptake whereas amphetamine-type stimulants more strongly promote
monoamine release
D. methamphetamine generally has a longer duration than cocaine and acts strongly by increasing monoamine
release
Correct Answer: A. methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas amphetamine also
strongly promotes release
Explanation: The key distinction is that methylphenidate primarily blocks catecholamine reuptake, whereas
amphetamine also strongly promotes release. Examining mechanism, time course, and purpose of use is often more
informative than relying on street labels.
9. A care team is comparing several evidence-based options and specifically considers Naltrexone for AUD.
Which choice best demonstrates treatment-to-problem matching?
A. Choose Naltrexone for OUD without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
B. Choose Naloxone without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
C. Match Naltrexone for AUD to the target situation: a patient with alcohol use disorder who wants help
reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication
D. Choose Methadone for OUD without checking whether it addresses the same treatment target
Correct Answer: C. Match Naltrexone for AUD to the target situation: a patient with alcohol use disorder who
wants help reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication
Explanation: Appropriate matching means using Naltrexone for AUD when a patient with alcohol use disorder
who wants help reducing heavy drinking or maintaining recovery and has no contraindication. Evidence-based
status alone does not make every intervention suitable for every substance or clinical goal.
10. Which reasoning error would most clearly undermine correct use of Elimination?
A. confusing metabolism rate with receptor mechanism
B. assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins
C. assuming all metabolites are inactive
D. comparing doses across routes without considering first-pass metabolism
Correct Answer: B. assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins
Explanation: The error is assuming psychoactive effects stop the instant elimination begins. Correct use of
Elimination depends on recognizing that removal of a drug and its metabolites from the body, commonly through
urine, bile, breath, or other routes.
