CARN - Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Nursing Interventions and Treatment Questions and Answers

Question 1

A nurse is implementing a contingency management (CM) program for a client with stimulant use disorder. Which of the following nursing actions best aligns with the principles of this intervention?

Accepted Answer

Providing a gift card for each verified stimulant-free urine drug screen.

Answer

Exploring the client's internal motivation for change through collaborative conversation.

Answer

Administering a prescribed medication to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Answer

Teaching the client cognitive-behavioral techniques to identify and reframe negative thought patterns.

Question 2

A client is admitted for methamphetamine withdrawal. The nurse's plan of care should prioritize monitoring for which of the following conditions during the first few days of withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Intense cravings and profound depression.

Answer

Hypertensive crisis and tachycardia.

Answer

Severe gastrointestinal bleeding.

Answer

Life-threatening seizures and delirium tremens.

Question 3

A nurse is using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a client who is ambivalent about quitting alcohol. The client states, 'I know I should stop drinking, but it's how I relax after work.' Which nursing response best demonstrates the MI principle of 'rolling with resistance'?

Accepted Answer

"It sounds like you see some benefits to drinking, but you're also worried about it."

Answer

"You will damage your liver if you don't stop drinking immediately."

Answer

"Let's set a quit date right now to get you started on the right path."

Answer

"Why do you feel the need to rely on alcohol to relax?"

Question 4

A nurse is providing education to a person who injects drugs as part of a harm reduction program. Which of the following instructions is the MOST critical to include to prevent vein damage and injury?

Accepted Answer

"Make sure the needle's bevel is facing up and release the tourniquet before injecting."

Answer

"Always use a new, sterile syringe and needle for every injection."

Answer

"Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab before every use."

Answer

"Rotate injection sites regularly to give veins time to heal."

Question 5

A client with a co-occurring diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is beginning an integrated treatment program. The nurse understands that the primary rationale for an integrated approach is that:

Accepted Answer

PTSD symptoms are often a primary driver for substance use and relapse.

Answer

Treating the substance use disorder first will resolve the PTSD symptoms.

Answer

Separate treatment programs are more specialized and therefore more effective.

Answer

Pharmacotherapy for OUD is contraindicated in patients with PTSD.

Question 6

A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of sublingual buprenorphine to a client for Opioid Use Disorder. To prevent precipitated withdrawal, which assessment finding is essential before administration?

Accepted Answer

The client's last use of heroin was 4 hours ago.

Answer

The client reports a strong craving for opioids.

Answer

The client has a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score of 13.

Answer

The client has a history of multiple previous detoxification attempts.

A nurse is implementing a contingency management (CM) program for a client with stimulant use disorder.Which of the following nursing actions best aligns with the principles of this intervention?

A nurse is implementing a contingency management (CM) program for a client with stimulant use disorder.
Which of the following nursing actions best aligns with the principles of this intervention?