Nursing Interventions and Treatment 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 Nursing Interventions and Treatment flashcards as text
A patient with alcohol use disorder is prescribed acamprosate. What is the primary mechanism of this medication?
Answer: Modulates glutamate and GABA to reduce post-acute withdrawal craving
Acamprosate modulates glutamate (NMDA) and GABA systems to reduce the neurochemical imbalance that drives craving during early abstinence.
A nurse is caring for a neonate born to a mother who used opioids during pregnancy. The infant has a Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring score of 9. What is the appropriate next step?
Answer: Begin pharmacological treatment with morphine or methadone
A Finnegan score of 8 or higher on two consecutive assessments (or ≥ 12 on a single assessment) generally triggers pharmacological treatment.
Which harm reduction intervention has the strongest evidence for reducing HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID)?
Answer: Syringe services programs (SSPs)
Syringe services programs reduce needle sharing and have substantial evidence for decreasing HIV and hepatitis C transmission among PWID.
A patient with stimulant use disorder asks about medications approved by the FDA to treat cocaine dependence. What is the most accurate nursing response?
Answer: No FDA-approved pharmacotherapy currently exists for cocaine use disorder
As of current guidelines, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for cocaine or stimulant use disorder; treatment relies on behavioral interventions.
When using the transtheoretical model (stages of change), a patient says, 'I know my drinking is a problem and I'm thinking about quitting—maybe in the next few months.' In which stage is this patient?
Answer: Contemplation
Contemplation is characterized by awareness of the problem and consideration of change within the next 6 months, but without a firm commitment or plan.
A patient presents to the ED with agitation, diaphoresis, hyperthermia, and muscle rigidity after combining their prescribed SSRI with illegally obtained MDMA. What condition should the nurse suspect?
Answer: Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome results from excess serotonergic activity and is classically triggered by combining serotonergic agents (SSRI + MDMA), presenting with the triad of agitation, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities.
A nurse is providing relapse prevention education. Which cognitive-behavioral strategy teaches patients to recognize internal and external triggers before a craving escalates?
Answer: Functional analysis of substance use
Functional analysis identifies the antecedents (triggers), behaviors, and consequences of substance use, forming the foundation of relapse prevention planning.