Co-Occurring Disorders Flashcards

A patient with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder reports that marijuana helps reduce their auditory hallucinations. The nurse's BEST response is:

Answer: Explain that cannabis may temporarily relieve symptoms but worsens psychosis long-term

The nurse should use psychoeducation to explain that while cannabis may provide short-term relief, it is associated with worsened psychosis, earlier onset, and poorer long-term outcomes in schizophrenia.

Which of the following co-occurring disorders requires the nurse to be MOST vigilant about serotonin syndrome when prescribing pharmacotherapy?

Answer: OCD treated with SSRIs and concurrent MDMA use

MDMA causes massive serotonin release, and when combined with SSRIs used for OCD, creates a high risk for potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

In the ASAM multidimensional assessment for a patient with co-occurring disorders, which dimension specifically addresses emotional and behavioral conditions?

Answer: Dimension 3: Emotional, Behavioral, or Cognitive Conditions and Complications

ASAM Dimension 3 specifically addresses emotional, behavioral, or cognitive conditions and complications, including co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

A nurse working with a patient with co-occurring borderline personality disorder and alcohol use disorder should prioritize which treatment approach?

Answer: Dialectical behavior therapy combined with motivational enhancement

Dialectical behavior therapy combined with motivational enhancement therapy is well-supported for co-occurring BPD and alcohol use disorder, addressing both emotion dysregulation and substance use.

When evaluating a patient for co-occurring ADHD and stimulant use disorder, which consideration is MOST important before prescribing stimulant medication?

Answer: Assessment of ADHD symptom onset prior to stimulant use to confirm independent diagnosis

Confirming that ADHD symptoms predated stimulant use is essential to establish an independent diagnosis, as stimulant intoxication and withdrawal can mimic ADHD symptoms.

A patient with generalized anxiety disorder and benzodiazepine use disorder is being treated with a taper protocol. Which adjunct medication would MOST appropriately address anxiety during and after the taper?

Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

SSRIs are first-line pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder and are non-addictive, making them appropriate adjuncts during benzodiazepine tapering in patients with co-occurring benzodiazepine use disorder.

Which statement about the prevalence of co-occurring disorders in the United States is most accurate?

Answer: Approximately half of people with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental health disorder

Epidemiological studies, including SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, consistently show that approximately half of people with substance use disorders also meet criteria for a co-occurring mental health disorder.