Co-Occurring Disorders 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 Co-Occurring Disorders flashcards as text
A nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder. Which treatment approach is most evidence-based for this population?
Answer: Integrated dual diagnosis treatment addressing both simultaneously
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both co-occurring disorders simultaneously is the most evidence-based approach for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.
Which medication is FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder and has also shown benefit in reducing cravings in patients with bipolar disorder?
Answer: Naltrexone
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, is FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder and has demonstrated efficacy in reducing alcohol cravings in patients with co-occurring bipolar disorder.
A patient presents with severe anxiety and benzodiazepine dependence. After stabilization, which non-addictive anxiolytic medication would be most appropriate for long-term anxiety management?
Answer: Buspirone
Buspirone is a non-addictive anxiolytic that does not carry abuse potential, making it appropriate for long-term anxiety management in patients with benzodiazepine use disorder.
The term 'self-medication hypothesis' in the context of co-occurring disorders refers to:
Answer: Individuals using substances to manage untreated psychiatric symptoms
The self-medication hypothesis proposes that individuals with psychiatric disorders use substances to alleviate distressing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or psychosis.
Which psychiatric disorder has the HIGHEST comorbidity rate with substance use disorders?
Answer: Antisocial personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder has the highest comorbidity rate with substance use disorders, with studies showing up to 84% of individuals with ASPD meeting criteria for a substance use disorder.
A nurse assesses a patient in early opioid withdrawal who also has a history of PTSD. Which symptom would be MOST concerning and warrant immediate intervention?
Answer: Suicidal ideation with a plan
Suicidal ideation with a plan is an immediate safety concern requiring urgent psychiatric intervention, as individuals with co-occurring PTSD and opioid withdrawal are at elevated suicide risk.
Which of the following best describes 'diagnostic overshadowing' in the context of co-occurring disorders?
Answer: Attributing psychiatric symptoms solely to substance use, missing underlying mental illness
Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when clinicians attribute all symptoms to one condition (substance use) and fail to recognize or diagnose a co-occurring psychiatric disorder.