CARN - Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Patient Assessment and Diagnosis Questions and Answers

Question 1

A nurse is using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-Ar) scale to assess a patient.
The patient scores 12.
Based on this score, which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Continue to monitor the patient as this indicates mild withdrawal.

Answer

Request an order for a loading dose of a benzodiazepine for severe withdrawal.

Answer

Discontinue the assessment as the score is not clinically significant.

Answer

Prepare for immediate seizure precautions and rapid response team activation.

Question 2

When conducting a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment for a patient with a suspected substance use disorder, which component is MOST crucial for the addictions nurse to explore to understand the context of the substance use?

Accepted Answer

A chronological history of mental health symptoms and treatment, especially during periods of abstinence.

Answer

A detailed list of all prescribed medications in the last five years.

Answer

The patient's highest level of education and employment history.

Answer

The patient's family history of cardiovascular disease.

Question 3

According to the DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), which of the following best represents the category of 'Impaired Control'?

Accepted Answer

Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended.

Answer

Continuing to use the substance despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems.

Answer

Developing tolerance, needing more of the substance to achieve the desired effect.

Answer

Using the substance in situations where it is physically hazardous.

Question 4

A nurse is assessing a patient for opioid withdrawal using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). The patient has a resting heart rate of 105 bpm, reports feeling anxious, and has moderately dilated pupils. Which of these findings would contribute the HIGHEST score to the COWS assessment for that specific item?

Accepted Answer

Pupil size

Answer

Restlessness

Answer

Anxiety or Irritability

Answer

Resting Pulse Rate

Question 5

A nurse in a primary care clinic wants to implement a quick screening tool for unhealthy alcohol use. Which tool is known for its brevity (4 questions) and focus on identifying lifetime alcohol problems rather than just current drinking patterns?

Accepted Answer

CAGE Questionnaire

Answer

AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption)

Answer

CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, Revised)

Answer

COWS (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale)

Question 6

A patient is admitted for alcohol detoxification. During the initial nursing assessment, the patient reports 'feeling bugs crawling under my skin.' The nurse should document this as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Tactile disturbances

Answer

Auditory hallucinations

Answer

Visual disturbances

Answer

Paroxysmal sweats

A nurse is using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-Ar) scale to assess a patient.The patient scores 12.Based on this score, which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?

A nurse is using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-Ar) scale to assess a patient.
The patient scores 12.
Based on this score, which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?