CARN Pharmacology in Addictions Nursing 4

Question 1

Which of the following correctly describes the pharmacokinetic advantage of methadone in treating opioid use disorder?

Accepted Answer

Long half-life (24–36 hours) enables once-daily dosing and prevents withdrawal between doses

Answer

Methadone's long half-life of 24–36 hours allows once-daily dosing, maintains stable blood levels, and prevents the peaks and troughs that drive craving.

Question 2

A patient with opioid use disorder is starting naltrexone. The nurse knows the patient must be opioid-free for at least how long before initiation to prevent precipitated withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

7–10 days for short-acting opioids; 10–14 days for methadone

Answer

Naltrexone should not be initiated until the patient is opioid-free for 7–10 days (short-acting) or 10–14 days (methadone) to avoid precipitating severe withdrawal.

Question 3

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) reduces withdrawal symptoms primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Providing controlled nicotine delivery to reduce withdrawal without behavioral reinforcement of smoking

Answer

NRT delivers nicotine in controlled doses to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while eliminating tobacco combustion products and the behavioral ritual of smoking.

Question 4

A patient on methadone maintenance is prescribed erythromycin for an infection. The nurse's priority concern is:

Accepted Answer

QTc interval prolongation increasing risk of torsades de pointes

Answer

Both methadone and erythromycin can prolong the QTc interval, and their combination significantly increases risk of life-threatening torsades de pointes.

Question 5

Which statement about buprenorphine's ceiling effect is clinically most significant?

Accepted Answer

At higher doses, increasing buprenorphine does not proportionally increase respiratory depression, reducing overdose risk

Answer

As a partial agonist, buprenorphine's respiratory depression effect plateaus at higher doses, making overdose from buprenorphine alone far less likely than with full opioid agonists.

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

CARN Pharmacology in Addictions Nursing 4