CARN - Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Question 1

A nurse is caring for a 17-year-old client seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder.
The client's parents call the unit demanding to know their child's diagnosis and treatment plan.
According to the federal regulation 42 CFR Part 2, what is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Inform the parents that without the client's specific written consent, no information can be disclosed.

Answer

Provide the parents with general information about the treatment program but not the client's specific diagnosis.

Answer

Explain that because the client is a minor, the parents have a legal right to all of their child's health information.

Answer

Request that the parents provide proof of guardianship before releasing any information.

Question 2

An addictions nurse, Mark, has been working closely with a client, Sarah, for several months. Sarah is now stable in her recovery and is preparing for discharge. Sarah suggests they connect on social media to stay in touch. Which of the following actions by Mark best upholds professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Gently declining the request, explaining that the nurse-client relationship must remain professional to support her long-term recovery.

Answer

Waiting six months after discharge before accepting her friend request.

Answer

Accepting the request but limiting his interactions with her posts.

Answer

Suggesting they connect through a professional networking site instead of a personal social media platform.

Question 3

A nurse on an inpatient detoxification unit has a strong suspicion that a colleague is diverting opioid medications intended for patients. The nurse observes the colleague frequently taking breaks after medication administration and notes several documentation discrepancies. What is the nurse's primary ethical and professional responsibility in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Report the suspicions immediately to the nursing supervisor or through the facility's established reporting channels.

Answer

Confront the colleague directly and give them a chance to explain before taking further action.

Answer

Gather more definitive proof over the next several shifts to build a stronger case.

Answer

Discuss the concerns with other trusted coworkers to see if they have noticed similar behaviors.

Question 4

A client with a severe alcohol use disorder is denied a spot on a liver transplant list, with a committee member privately stating it's a 'waste of an organ.' Which of the following actions by the addictions nurse best exemplifies the role of a patient advocate?

Accepted Answer

Helping the client file a formal grievance with the hospital's patient advocacy department and transplant ethics committee.

Answer

Documenting the biased statement in the client's chart.

Answer

Telling the client to seek a second opinion at a different hospital.

Answer

Advising the family to hire a lawyer to sue the hospital for discrimination.

Question 5

A nurse is obtaining informed consent from a client for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine. The client is showing mild signs of opioid withdrawal, including restlessness and anxiety. To ensure the client's consent is ethically valid, what is the MOST important action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Use simplified language and ask the client to explain the risks and benefits in their own words.

Answer

Have a family member co-sign the consent form to ensure understanding.

Answer

Postpone the consent process until the client's withdrawal symptoms have completely resolved.

Answer

Provide the client with written materials and obtain a signature without extensive discussion to avoid increasing their anxiety.

Question 6

A nurse is developing a plan of care for an Indigenous client who is struggling with alcohol use disorder. The client expresses that they find more healing in traditional ceremonies than in conventional group therapy. To provide culturally competent care, what should be the nurse's first step?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the client's beliefs and explore ways to integrate traditional healing practices with the evidence-based treatment plan.

Answer

Educate the client on the evidence-based effectiveness of the facility's group therapy model.

Answer

Refer the client to the facility's chaplain for generic spiritual guidance.

Answer

Document the client's resistance to standard treatment in the medical record.