CARN Study Guide for 2025 –
Updated Questions & Correct
Solutions – Original Copy
Instructions
This study guide contains 80 original multiple-choice questions designed for the
2025 Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) exam. Questions cover sub-
stance use disorders, nursing interventions, pharmacologic treatments, and eth-
ical issues in addiction nursing. Each question includes four answer choices, one
verified correct answer, and a detailed rationale. An answer key is provided at
the end. Use this resource to prepare for the CARN exam, aligned with 2025 stan-
dards and evidence-based addiction nursing practices.
Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder. Which finding indi-
cates severe withdrawal?
A. Tremors and diaphoresis
B. Mild anxiety
C. Headache
D. Dry mouth
Correct Answer: A. Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Tremors and diaphoresis are hallmark signs of severe alcohol
withdrawal, indicating autonomic hyperactivity. Mild anxiety, headache,
and dry mouth are less specific or milder symptoms.
2. A client with opioid use disorder is prescribed buprenorphine. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. Reverse overdose
B. Reduce cravings
C. Induce euphoria
1
, D. Treat withdrawal seizures
Correct Answer: B. Reduce cravings
Rationale: Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, reduces cravings and
withdrawal symptoms in opioid use disorder. Naloxone reverses overdose,
and buprenorphine does not induce euphoria or treat seizures.
3. A nurse is educating a client about naltrexone for alcohol use disorder.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “It will make me feel high when I drink.”
B. “It reduces my desire to drink alcohol.”
C. “It reverses alcohol overdose.”
D. “It treats withdrawal symptoms.”
Correct Answer: B. “It reduces my desire to drink alcohol.”
Rationale: Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, reduces alcohol cravings and
the rewarding effects of drinking. It does not cause euphoria, reverse over-
dose, or treat withdrawal.
4. A client with cocaine use disorder reports chest pain. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer lorazepam
B. Obtain an ECG
C. Provide oxygen
D. Encourage deep breathing
Correct Answer: B. Obtain an ECG
Rationale: Cocaine can cause cardiac ischemia or arrhythmias. Obtaining
an ECG is the priority to assess for life-threatening conditions. Oxygen or
lorazepam may follow, but ECG is first.
5. A nurse is conducting a motivational interview with a client who smokes
marijuana daily. Which response promotes change?
A. “You need to stop smoking immediately.”
B. “What are your reasons for wanting to cut back?”
C. “Marijuana is harmless, so why worry?”
D. “You’re too young to have a problem.”
Correct Answer: B. “What are your reasons for wanting to cut back?”
Rationale: Motivational interviewing encourages clients to explore their
own reasons for change, enhancing intrinsic motivation. Other responses
are judgmental or dismissive.
6. A client with benzodiazepine use disorder is admitted for detoxification.
Which medication is most appropriate?
2
, A. Diazepam
B. Naloxone
C. Methadone
D. Disulfiram
Correct Answer: A. Diazepam
Rationale: Diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine, is used for tapered
detoxification to prevent seizures and withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone,
methadone, and disulfiram are not indicated.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with opioid overdose. Which medication should
be administered first?
A. Methadone
B. Naloxone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid
overdose by restoring respiration. Other medications are used for mainte-
nance or craving reduction, not acute overdose.
8. A client asks about the risks of methamphetamine use. Which complication
should the nurse highlight?
A. Hypothermia
B. Psychosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Psychosis
Rationale: Methamphetamine use is associated with psychosis, including
hallucinations and paranoia, due to dopamine dysregulation. Other com-
plications are less common.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about disulfiram for alcohol use disorder. Which
instruction is critical?
A. “Avoid all alcohol-containing products.”
B. “Take it only when you plan to drink.”
C. “It will prevent withdrawal symptoms.”
D. “Expect mild euphoria after taking it.”
Correct Answer: A. “Avoid all alcohol-containing products.”
Rationale: Disulfiram causes severe reactions (e.g., nausea, flushing) if al-
3
Updated Questions & Correct
Solutions – Original Copy
Instructions
This study guide contains 80 original multiple-choice questions designed for the
2025 Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) exam. Questions cover sub-
stance use disorders, nursing interventions, pharmacologic treatments, and eth-
ical issues in addiction nursing. Each question includes four answer choices, one
verified correct answer, and a detailed rationale. An answer key is provided at
the end. Use this resource to prepare for the CARN exam, aligned with 2025 stan-
dards and evidence-based addiction nursing practices.
Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder. Which finding indi-
cates severe withdrawal?
A. Tremors and diaphoresis
B. Mild anxiety
C. Headache
D. Dry mouth
Correct Answer: A. Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Tremors and diaphoresis are hallmark signs of severe alcohol
withdrawal, indicating autonomic hyperactivity. Mild anxiety, headache,
and dry mouth are less specific or milder symptoms.
2. A client with opioid use disorder is prescribed buprenorphine. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. Reverse overdose
B. Reduce cravings
C. Induce euphoria
1
, D. Treat withdrawal seizures
Correct Answer: B. Reduce cravings
Rationale: Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, reduces cravings and
withdrawal symptoms in opioid use disorder. Naloxone reverses overdose,
and buprenorphine does not induce euphoria or treat seizures.
3. A nurse is educating a client about naltrexone for alcohol use disorder.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “It will make me feel high when I drink.”
B. “It reduces my desire to drink alcohol.”
C. “It reverses alcohol overdose.”
D. “It treats withdrawal symptoms.”
Correct Answer: B. “It reduces my desire to drink alcohol.”
Rationale: Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, reduces alcohol cravings and
the rewarding effects of drinking. It does not cause euphoria, reverse over-
dose, or treat withdrawal.
4. A client with cocaine use disorder reports chest pain. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer lorazepam
B. Obtain an ECG
C. Provide oxygen
D. Encourage deep breathing
Correct Answer: B. Obtain an ECG
Rationale: Cocaine can cause cardiac ischemia or arrhythmias. Obtaining
an ECG is the priority to assess for life-threatening conditions. Oxygen or
lorazepam may follow, but ECG is first.
5. A nurse is conducting a motivational interview with a client who smokes
marijuana daily. Which response promotes change?
A. “You need to stop smoking immediately.”
B. “What are your reasons for wanting to cut back?”
C. “Marijuana is harmless, so why worry?”
D. “You’re too young to have a problem.”
Correct Answer: B. “What are your reasons for wanting to cut back?”
Rationale: Motivational interviewing encourages clients to explore their
own reasons for change, enhancing intrinsic motivation. Other responses
are judgmental or dismissive.
6. A client with benzodiazepine use disorder is admitted for detoxification.
Which medication is most appropriate?
2
, A. Diazepam
B. Naloxone
C. Methadone
D. Disulfiram
Correct Answer: A. Diazepam
Rationale: Diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine, is used for tapered
detoxification to prevent seizures and withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone,
methadone, and disulfiram are not indicated.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with opioid overdose. Which medication should
be administered first?
A. Methadone
B. Naloxone
C. Buprenorphine
D. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid
overdose by restoring respiration. Other medications are used for mainte-
nance or craving reduction, not acute overdose.
8. A client asks about the risks of methamphetamine use. Which complication
should the nurse highlight?
A. Hypothermia
B. Psychosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Psychosis
Rationale: Methamphetamine use is associated with psychosis, including
hallucinations and paranoia, due to dopamine dysregulation. Other com-
plications are less common.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about disulfiram for alcohol use disorder. Which
instruction is critical?
A. “Avoid all alcohol-containing products.”
B. “Take it only when you plan to drink.”
C. “It will prevent withdrawal symptoms.”
D. “Expect mild euphoria after taking it.”
Correct Answer: A. “Avoid all alcohol-containing products.”
Rationale: Disulfiram causes severe reactions (e.g., nausea, flushing) if al-
3
