Free CARN Treatment Modalities and Interventions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with alcohol use disorder states, "I know I should cut back for my health, but a few beers with my friends is the only way I can relax after a tough week." Which response by the CARN best demonstrates the principle of developing discrepancy in Motivational Interviewing?

Accepted Answer

"It sounds like on one hand, you value your health, and on the other hand, relaxing with friends is very important to you. How do you see these two things fitting together?"

Answer

This response is a complex reflection that highlights the patient's internal conflict (discrepancy) between their stated values (health) and their current behavior (drinking to relax), without judgment. This technique helps the patient explore their own ambivalence and motivations for change, which is a core tenet of Motivational Interviewing.

Question 2

A treatment program for stimulant use disorder provides patients with escalating cash-value vouchers for each consecutive drug-free urine sample. This intervention is a primary example of which therapeutic modality?

Accepted Answer

Contingency Management (CM)

Answer

Contingency Management is a behavioral therapy based on operant conditioning that provides tangible, positive reinforcement (like vouchers) to reward desired behaviors, such as providing a substance-free urine sample.

Question 3

A CARN is working at a community clinic with a patient who has a severe opioid use disorder, continues to inject heroin daily, and is not currently interested in abstinence-based treatment. Which of the following interventions is most consistent with a harm reduction approach?

Accepted Answer

Educating the patient on safer injection techniques and providing a naloxone kit.

Answer

Harm reduction aims to minimize the negative health and social impacts of drug use without necessarily requiring cessation. Providing safer use supplies (clean needles) and an overdose reversal medication (naloxone) are core harm reduction strategies that meet the patient where they are and prioritize immediate safety.

Question 4

During a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session, a patient in recovery from cocaine use disorder describes feeling an intense craving whenever they receive their paycheck. According to CBT principles, what is the most appropriate next step for the nurse therapist to take?

Accepted Answer

Help the patient identify the automatic thoughts and feelings linked to the craving and develop alternative coping skills.

Answer

A core component of CBT for substance use disorders is functional analysis, which involves identifying high-risk situations (triggers), the associated automatic thoughts and feelings, and the resulting behaviors. The next step is to develop cognitive and behavioral skills to challenge the maladaptive thoughts and manage the situation differently.

Question 5

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, which of the following patient profiles would most likely require placement in a Level 3.7, medically monitored intensive inpatient treatment?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a severe, unstable co-occurring medical condition and a high risk of life-threatening withdrawal that requires 24-hour nursing care.

Answer

ASAM Level 3.7 is designed for patients with significant medical and/or psychiatric instability who are at high risk for severe withdrawal. This level provides 24-hour nursing care and physician availability to manage complex needs that cannot be safely handled in a less intensive setting.

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

Free CARN Treatment Modalities and Interventions Questions and Answers