NUR 384 Exam
NUR 384 Final Exam Guide Questions
with Correct Answers Graded A 2025
What should be the priority nursing diagnosis for a client experiencing alcohol
withdrawal?
1. Risk for injury R/T central nervous system stimulation
2. Disturbed thought processes R/T tactile hallucinations
3. Ineffective coping R/T powerlessness over alcohol use
4. Ineffective denial R/T continued alcohol use despite negative consequences -Correct
Answer ✔1. Risk for injury R/T central nervous system stimulation
Alcohol withdrawal may
include the following symptoms: course tremors of hands, tongue, or eyelids; nausea or
vomiting; malaise or weakness; tachycardia; sweating; elevated blood pressure;
anxiety; depressed mood; hallucinations; headache; and insomnia.
A nurse evaluates a client's patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump and notices 100
attempts within a 30-minute period. Which is the best rationale for assessing this client
for substance addiction?
1. Narcotic pain medication is contraindicated for all clients with active substance use
disorders.
2. Clients who are addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines may develop cross-tolerance
to analgesics and require increased doses to achieve effective pain control.
3. There is no need to assess the client for substance addiction. There is an obvious
PCA malfunction, because these clients have a higher pain tolerance.
4. The client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and needs accurate
assessment. -Correct Answer ✔2. Clients who are addicted to alcohol or
benzodiazepines may develop cross- tolerance to analgesics and require increased
doses to achieve effective pain control.
On the first day of a client's alcohol detoxification, which nursing intervention
should take priority?
1. Strongly encourage the client to attend 90 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in
90 days.
2. Educate the client about the biopsychosocial consequences of alcohol abuse.
3. Administer ordered chlordiazepoxide (Librium) in a dosage according to protocol.
4. Administer vitamin B1 to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. -Correct Answer ✔3.
Administer ordered chlordiazepoxide (Librium) in a dosage according to protocol.
Chlordiazepoxide is a
NUR 384 Exam
,NUR 384 Exam
benzodiazepine and is often used for substitution therapy in alcohol withdrawal to
reduce life-threatening complications.
Which client statement indicates a knowledge deficit related to a substance use
disorder?
1. "Although it's legal, alcohol is one of the most widely abused drugs in our society."
2. "Tolerance to heroin develops quickly."
3. "Flashbacks from lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use may reoccur
spontaneously."
4. "Marijuana is like smoking cigarettes. Everyone does it. It's essentially harmless." -
Correct Answer ✔4. "Marijuana is like smoking cigarettes. Everyone does it. It's
essentially harmless."
A lonely, depressed divorcée has been self-medicating with small amounts of
cocaine for the past year. Which term should a nurse use to best describe this
individual's situation?
1. Psychological addiction
2. Codependence
3. Substance induced disorder
4. Social induced disorder -Correct Answer ✔1. Psychological addiction
A client is considered to be psychologically addicted to a substance when
there is an overwhelming desire to use a drug in order to produce pleasure or avoid
discomfort.
Which term should a nurse use to describe the administration of a central nervous
system (CNS) depressant during the substance induced disorder of alcohol withdrawal?
1. Antagonist therapy
2. Deterrent therapy
3. Codependency therapy
4. Substitution therapy -Correct Answer ✔4. Substitution therapy
Various medications have been used to decrease the intensity of symptoms in an
individual who is withdrawing from, or who is experiencing the effects of
excessive use of, alcohol and other drugs. This is called substitution therapy and may
be required to reduce the life-threatening effects of alcohol withdrawal.
A client diagnosed with chronic alcohol addiction is being discharged from an
inpatient treatment facility after detoxification. Which client outcome, related to AA,
would be most appropriate for a nurse to discuss with the client during discharge
teaching?
1. After discharge, the client will immediately attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days.
NUR 384 Exam
,NUR 384 Exam
2. After discharge, the client will rely on an AA sponsor to help control alcohol cravings.
3. After discharge, the client will incorporate family in AA attendance.
4. After discharge, the client will seek appropriate deterrent medications through AA. -
Correct Answer ✔1. After discharge, the client will immediately attend 90 AA meetings
in 90 days.
AA is a major self-help organization for the treatment of alcohol addiction. It accepts
alcohol addiction as an illness and promotes total abstinence as the only cure.
A client with a history of heavy alcohol use is brought to an emergency department (ED)
by family members who state that the client has had nothing to drink in the last
48 hours. When the nurse reports to the ED physician, which client symptom should be
the nurse's first priority?
1. Hearing and visual impairment
2. Blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg
3. Mood rating of 2/10 on numeric scale
4. Dehydration -Correct Answer ✔2. Blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg
Which client statement demonstrates positive progress toward recovery from a
substance use disorder?
1. "I have completed detox and therefore am in control of my drug use."
2. "I will faithfully attend Narcotic Anonymous when I can't control my cravings."
3. "As a church deacon, my focus will now be on spiritual renewal."
4. "Taking those pills got out of control. It cost me my job, marriage, and children." -
Correct Answer ✔4. "Taking those pills got out of control. It cost me my job, marriage,
and children."
A client who takes responsibility for the consequences of substance use disorder or
substance addiction is making positive progress toward recovery. This would indicate
completion of the first step of a 12-step program.
A nurse holds the hand of a client who is withdrawing from alcohol. What is the
nurse's rationale for this intervention?
1. To assess for emotional strength
2. To assess for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
3. To assess for tachycardia
4. To assess for fine tremors -Correct Answer ✔4. To assess for fine tremors
Withdrawal from alcohol can also cause headache, insomnia, transient hallucinations,
depression, irritability, anxiety, elevated blood pressure, sweating,
tachycardia, malaise, and coarse tremors.
A client presents with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and states, "I haven't
NUR 384 Exam
, NUR 384 Exam
eaten in three days." A nurse's assessment reveals BP 170/100 mm Hg, P 110, R 28,
and T 97°F (36°C) with dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor. What should be
the priority nursing diagnosis?
1. Knowledge deficit
2. Fluid volume excess
3. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
4. Ineffective individual coping -Correct Answer ✔3. Imbalanced nutrition: less than
body requirements
The nurse should assess that the priority nursing diagnosis is imbalanced nutrition: less
than body requirements. The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms of malnutrition, as
well as alcohol withdrawal. The nurse should consult a dietitian,
restrict sodium intake to minimize fluid retention, and provide small, frequent
feedings of nonirritating foods.
A client's wife has been making excuses for her alcoholic husband's work absences. In
family therapy, she states, "His problems at work are my fault." Which is the appropriate
nursing response?
1. "Why do you assume responsibility for his behaviors?"
2. "I think you should start to confront his behavior."
3. "Your husband needs to deal with the consequences of his drinking."
4. "Do you understand what the term enabler means?" -Correct Answer ✔3. "Your
husband needs to deal with the consequences of his drinking."
Which medication orders should a nurse anticipate for a client who has a history
of benzodiazepine-withdrawal delirium?
1. Haloperidol (Haldol) and fluoxetine (Prozac)
2. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and donepezil (Aricept)
3. Disulfiram (Antabuse) and lorazepan (Ativan)
4. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and phenytoin (Dilantin) -Correct Answer ✔4.
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and phenytoin (Dilantin)
It is common for long-lasting benzodiazepines to be prescribed for substitution therapy.
A nurse is reviewing the stat laboratory data of a client in the emergency
department. At what minimum blood alcohol level should a nurse expect intoxication to
occur?
1. 50 mg/dL
2. 100 mg/dL
3. 250 mg/dL
4. 300 mg/dL -Correct Answer ✔2. 100 mg/dL
NUR 384 Exam
NUR 384 Final Exam Guide Questions
with Correct Answers Graded A 2025
What should be the priority nursing diagnosis for a client experiencing alcohol
withdrawal?
1. Risk for injury R/T central nervous system stimulation
2. Disturbed thought processes R/T tactile hallucinations
3. Ineffective coping R/T powerlessness over alcohol use
4. Ineffective denial R/T continued alcohol use despite negative consequences -Correct
Answer ✔1. Risk for injury R/T central nervous system stimulation
Alcohol withdrawal may
include the following symptoms: course tremors of hands, tongue, or eyelids; nausea or
vomiting; malaise or weakness; tachycardia; sweating; elevated blood pressure;
anxiety; depressed mood; hallucinations; headache; and insomnia.
A nurse evaluates a client's patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump and notices 100
attempts within a 30-minute period. Which is the best rationale for assessing this client
for substance addiction?
1. Narcotic pain medication is contraindicated for all clients with active substance use
disorders.
2. Clients who are addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines may develop cross-tolerance
to analgesics and require increased doses to achieve effective pain control.
3. There is no need to assess the client for substance addiction. There is an obvious
PCA malfunction, because these clients have a higher pain tolerance.
4. The client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and needs accurate
assessment. -Correct Answer ✔2. Clients who are addicted to alcohol or
benzodiazepines may develop cross- tolerance to analgesics and require increased
doses to achieve effective pain control.
On the first day of a client's alcohol detoxification, which nursing intervention
should take priority?
1. Strongly encourage the client to attend 90 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in
90 days.
2. Educate the client about the biopsychosocial consequences of alcohol abuse.
3. Administer ordered chlordiazepoxide (Librium) in a dosage according to protocol.
4. Administer vitamin B1 to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. -Correct Answer ✔3.
Administer ordered chlordiazepoxide (Librium) in a dosage according to protocol.
Chlordiazepoxide is a
NUR 384 Exam
,NUR 384 Exam
benzodiazepine and is often used for substitution therapy in alcohol withdrawal to
reduce life-threatening complications.
Which client statement indicates a knowledge deficit related to a substance use
disorder?
1. "Although it's legal, alcohol is one of the most widely abused drugs in our society."
2. "Tolerance to heroin develops quickly."
3. "Flashbacks from lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use may reoccur
spontaneously."
4. "Marijuana is like smoking cigarettes. Everyone does it. It's essentially harmless." -
Correct Answer ✔4. "Marijuana is like smoking cigarettes. Everyone does it. It's
essentially harmless."
A lonely, depressed divorcée has been self-medicating with small amounts of
cocaine for the past year. Which term should a nurse use to best describe this
individual's situation?
1. Psychological addiction
2. Codependence
3. Substance induced disorder
4. Social induced disorder -Correct Answer ✔1. Psychological addiction
A client is considered to be psychologically addicted to a substance when
there is an overwhelming desire to use a drug in order to produce pleasure or avoid
discomfort.
Which term should a nurse use to describe the administration of a central nervous
system (CNS) depressant during the substance induced disorder of alcohol withdrawal?
1. Antagonist therapy
2. Deterrent therapy
3. Codependency therapy
4. Substitution therapy -Correct Answer ✔4. Substitution therapy
Various medications have been used to decrease the intensity of symptoms in an
individual who is withdrawing from, or who is experiencing the effects of
excessive use of, alcohol and other drugs. This is called substitution therapy and may
be required to reduce the life-threatening effects of alcohol withdrawal.
A client diagnosed with chronic alcohol addiction is being discharged from an
inpatient treatment facility after detoxification. Which client outcome, related to AA,
would be most appropriate for a nurse to discuss with the client during discharge
teaching?
1. After discharge, the client will immediately attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days.
NUR 384 Exam
,NUR 384 Exam
2. After discharge, the client will rely on an AA sponsor to help control alcohol cravings.
3. After discharge, the client will incorporate family in AA attendance.
4. After discharge, the client will seek appropriate deterrent medications through AA. -
Correct Answer ✔1. After discharge, the client will immediately attend 90 AA meetings
in 90 days.
AA is a major self-help organization for the treatment of alcohol addiction. It accepts
alcohol addiction as an illness and promotes total abstinence as the only cure.
A client with a history of heavy alcohol use is brought to an emergency department (ED)
by family members who state that the client has had nothing to drink in the last
48 hours. When the nurse reports to the ED physician, which client symptom should be
the nurse's first priority?
1. Hearing and visual impairment
2. Blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg
3. Mood rating of 2/10 on numeric scale
4. Dehydration -Correct Answer ✔2. Blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg
Which client statement demonstrates positive progress toward recovery from a
substance use disorder?
1. "I have completed detox and therefore am in control of my drug use."
2. "I will faithfully attend Narcotic Anonymous when I can't control my cravings."
3. "As a church deacon, my focus will now be on spiritual renewal."
4. "Taking those pills got out of control. It cost me my job, marriage, and children." -
Correct Answer ✔4. "Taking those pills got out of control. It cost me my job, marriage,
and children."
A client who takes responsibility for the consequences of substance use disorder or
substance addiction is making positive progress toward recovery. This would indicate
completion of the first step of a 12-step program.
A nurse holds the hand of a client who is withdrawing from alcohol. What is the
nurse's rationale for this intervention?
1. To assess for emotional strength
2. To assess for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
3. To assess for tachycardia
4. To assess for fine tremors -Correct Answer ✔4. To assess for fine tremors
Withdrawal from alcohol can also cause headache, insomnia, transient hallucinations,
depression, irritability, anxiety, elevated blood pressure, sweating,
tachycardia, malaise, and coarse tremors.
A client presents with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and states, "I haven't
NUR 384 Exam
, NUR 384 Exam
eaten in three days." A nurse's assessment reveals BP 170/100 mm Hg, P 110, R 28,
and T 97°F (36°C) with dry mucous membranes and poor skin turgor. What should be
the priority nursing diagnosis?
1. Knowledge deficit
2. Fluid volume excess
3. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
4. Ineffective individual coping -Correct Answer ✔3. Imbalanced nutrition: less than
body requirements
The nurse should assess that the priority nursing diagnosis is imbalanced nutrition: less
than body requirements. The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms of malnutrition, as
well as alcohol withdrawal. The nurse should consult a dietitian,
restrict sodium intake to minimize fluid retention, and provide small, frequent
feedings of nonirritating foods.
A client's wife has been making excuses for her alcoholic husband's work absences. In
family therapy, she states, "His problems at work are my fault." Which is the appropriate
nursing response?
1. "Why do you assume responsibility for his behaviors?"
2. "I think you should start to confront his behavior."
3. "Your husband needs to deal with the consequences of his drinking."
4. "Do you understand what the term enabler means?" -Correct Answer ✔3. "Your
husband needs to deal with the consequences of his drinking."
Which medication orders should a nurse anticipate for a client who has a history
of benzodiazepine-withdrawal delirium?
1. Haloperidol (Haldol) and fluoxetine (Prozac)
2. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and donepezil (Aricept)
3. Disulfiram (Antabuse) and lorazepan (Ativan)
4. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and phenytoin (Dilantin) -Correct Answer ✔4.
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and phenytoin (Dilantin)
It is common for long-lasting benzodiazepines to be prescribed for substitution therapy.
A nurse is reviewing the stat laboratory data of a client in the emergency
department. At what minimum blood alcohol level should a nurse expect intoxication to
occur?
1. 50 mg/dL
2. 100 mg/dL
3. 250 mg/dL
4. 300 mg/dL -Correct Answer ✔2. 100 mg/dL
NUR 384 Exam
