Practice Test Geeks(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test
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Assessment and Diagnosis Flashcards

7 cards from real CARN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Assessment and Diagnosis flashcards as text

  1. A 28-year-old patient presents with rhinorrhea, lacrimation, goosebumps, and a COWS score of 18. Which level of opioid withdrawal does this represent?

    Answer: Severe withdrawal

    A COWS score of 13 or higher indicates severe opioid withdrawal requiring prompt clinical intervention.

  2. Which laboratory finding would most support a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder in a patient who denies heavy drinking?

    Answer: Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

    Elevated GGT and increased MCV (macrocytosis) are sensitive biomarkers for chronic heavy alcohol use.

  3. When using the SBIRT model, what does the 'BI' component involve for a patient who screens positive for risky substance use?

    Answer: Brief intervention to raise awareness and motivate change

    Brief Intervention (BI) in SBIRT involves a short, motivational conversation to increase awareness of substance use risks and encourage behavior change.

  4. A patient prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone reports feeling 'sick' after taking the first dose. Which assessment finding best explains precipitated withdrawal?

    Answer: The patient was still in full opioid intoxication when buprenorphine was given

    Precipitated withdrawal occurs when buprenorphine displaces full agonist opioids from receptors before sufficient withdrawal has occurred, causing abrupt withdrawal symptoms.

  5. Which instrument is the gold-standard structured interview for diagnosing substance use disorders according to DSM-5 criteria?

    Answer: SCID-5 (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5)

    The SCID-5 is the gold-standard structured diagnostic interview used to assess and confirm DSM-5 substance use disorder diagnoses.

  6. A patient with alcohol use disorder undergoes assessment and scores a 7 on the CIWA-Ar. Which clinical response is most appropriate?

    Answer: Increase monitoring frequency and consider PRN symptom-triggered medication

    A CIWA-Ar score of 7 indicates mild withdrawal; increased monitoring and symptom-triggered (PRN) benzodiazepines are appropriate at this level.

  7. Which assessment finding distinguishes cannabis use disorder from recreational cannabis use under DSM-5 criteria?

    Answer: Presence of at least 2 of 11 diagnostic criteria causing significant impairment

    DSM-5 requires at least 2 of 11 specific criteria resulting in clinically significant impairment or distress to diagnose cannabis use disorder.

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Sources & references

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  1. cnetnurse.com — Renewal, score validity, test delivery, exam format, passing score, retake policy, score release, time limit, test dates, exam information · verified Oct 2026