CARN - Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Nursing Interventions and Treatment Questions and Answers

Question 1

A nurse is implementing a contingency management (CM) program for a client with stimulant use disorder. Which of the following nursing actions best aligns with the principles of this intervention?

Accepted Answer

Providing a gift card for each verified stimulant-free urine drug screen.

Answer

Contingency management is a behavioral therapy that provides tangible rewards to reinforce positive behaviors, such as abstinence. Providing a gift card for a negative drug screen is a direct application of this principle, using positive reinforcement to encourage the desired behavior. The other options describe different, though also valuable, interventions: motivational interviewing, medication-assisted treatment, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Question 2

A client is admitted for methamphetamine withdrawal. The nurse's plan of care should prioritize monitoring for which of the following conditions during the first few days of withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Intense cravings and profound depression.

Answer

While physical symptoms occur, methamphetamine withdrawal is primarily characterized by severe psychological symptoms. During the initial 'crash' phase (the first 1-2 days), individuals experience extreme fatigue, but this is followed by a period of intense cravings, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and severe depression, which can include suicidal ideation. While vital signs can fluctuate, a hypertensive crisis is not typical, and seizures are less common than with alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Question 3

A nurse is using Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a client who is ambivalent about quitting alcohol. The client states, 'I know I should stop drinking, but it's how I relax after work.' Which nursing response best demonstrates the MI principle of 'rolling with resistance'?

Accepted Answer

"It sounds like you see some benefits to drinking, but you're also worried about it."

Answer

The correct response is an example of a complex reflection, a key technique in MI. It acknowledges both sides of the client's ambivalence without creating opposition ('rolling with resistance'). This validates the client's perspective and encourages further exploration. The other options are confrontational, directive, or could be perceived as judgmental, which are contrary to the spirit of MI.

Question 4

A nurse is providing education to a person who injects drugs as part of a harm reduction program. Which of the following instructions is the MOST critical to include to prevent vein damage and injury?

Accepted Answer

"Make sure the needle's bevel is facing up and release the tourniquet before injecting."

Answer

While all options are important harm reduction strategies, ensuring the bevel is up allows the needle to enter the vein more smoothly, and releasing the tourniquet before injecting prevents excessive pressure that can rupture or 'blow' the vein. Using clean supplies and rotating sites are crucial for preventing infection and long-term vein collapse, but the immediate technique of injection is most critical for preventing acute vein injury.

Question 5

A client with a co-occurring diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is beginning an integrated treatment program. The nurse understands that the primary rationale for an integrated approach is that:

Accepted Answer

PTSD symptoms are often a primary driver for substance use and relapse.

Answer

Research and clinical practice show a strong link between PTSD and SUD, with many individuals using substances to self-medicate or cope with trauma-related symptoms like anxiety, hyperarousal, and intrusive memories. An integrated treatment model addresses both disorders concurrently, recognizing that untreated PTSD symptoms are a significant risk factor for substance use relapse. Treating them separately or sequentially is less effective.

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

(CARN) Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Practice Test

CARN - Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Nursing Interventions and Treatment Questions and Answers