NUR 355 Exam 3 Review UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Mr. White is admitted to the hospital after an extended period of binge alcohol drinking.
His wife reports that he has been a heavy drinker for a number of years. Lab reports reveal he
has a blood alcohol level of 250 mg/dL. He is placed on the chemical addictions unit for
detoxification. When would the first signs of alcohol withdrawal symptoms be expected to
occur?
a. Several hours after the last drink.
b. 2 to 3 days after the last drink.
c. 4 to 5 days after the last drink.
d. 6 to 7 days after the last drink. - CORRECT ANSWER a. Several hours after the last
drink.
2. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
a. Euphoria, hyperactivity, and insomnia.
b. Depression, suicidal ideation, and hypersomnia.
c. Diaphoresis, nausea and vomiting, and tremors.
d. Unsteady gait, nystagmus, and profound disorientation. - CORRECT ANSWER c.
Diaphoresis, nausea and vomiting, and tremors.
3. Which of the following medications is the physician most likely to order for a client
experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
a. Haloperidol (Haldol)
b. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
c. Methadone (Dolophine)
d. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER b. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
4. Dan, who has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking
on the job, states to the nurse, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can handle my booze
better than anyone I know. My boss is a jerk! I haven't missed any more days than my
coworkers." What is the nurse's best response?
,a. "Maybe your boss is mistaken, Dan."
b. "You are here because your drinking was interfering with your work, Dan."
c. "Get real, Dan! You're a boozer and you know it!"
d. "What do you think your boss is a jerk, Dan?" - CORRECT ANSWER b. "You are
here because your drinking was interfering with your work, Dan."
5. Dan, who has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking
on the job, states to the nurse, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can handle my booze
better than anyone I know. My boss is a jerk! I haven't missed any more days than my
coworkers." What is the nurse's best response?
a. Denial
b. Projection
c. Displacement
D. Rationalization - CORRECT ANSWER a. Denial
6. Dan has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking on
the job. Dan's drinking buddies come for a visit, and when they leave, the nurse smells
alcohol on Dan's breath. Which of the following would be the best intervention with Dan at
this time?
a. Search his room for evidence.
b. Ask, "Have you been drinking alcohol, Dan?"
c. Send a urine specimen from Dan to the lab for drug screening.
d. Tell Dan, "These guys cannot come to the unit to visit you again." - CORRECT
ANSWER c. Send a urine specimen from Dan to the lab for drug screening.
7. Dan begins attendance at AA meetings. Which of the statements by Dan reflects the
purpose of this organization?
a. "They claim they will help me stay sober."
b. "I'll dry out in AA, then I can have a social drink now and then."
c. "AA is only for people who have reached the bottom."
d. "If I lose my job, AA will help me find another." - CORRECT ANSWER a. "They
claim they will help me stay sober."
, 8. From which of the following symptoms might the nurse identify a chronic cocaine user?
a. Clear, constricted pupils
b. Red, irritated nostrils
c. Muscle aches
d. Conjunctival redness - CORRECT ANSWER b. Red, irritated nostrils
9. An individual who is addicted to heroin is likely to experience which of the following
symptoms of withdrawal?
a. Increased heart rate and blood pressure
b. Tremors, insomnia, and seizures
c. Incoordination and unsteady gait
d. Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and diaphoresis - CORRECT ANSWER d. Nausea
and vomiting, diarrhea, and diaphoresis
10. A polysubstance abuser makes the statement, "The green and whites do me good after
speed." How might the nurse interpret the statement?
a. The client abuses amphetamines and anxiolytics.
b. The client abuses alcohol and cocaine.
c. The client is psychotic.
d. The client abuses narcotics and marijuana. - CORRECT ANSWER a. The client
abuses amphetamines and anxiolytics.
11. A client admitted to the ED smells strongly of alcohol, and his wife reports he has been a
heavy drinker for the last 25 years. Which of the following assessment findings are consistent
with long-term chronic alcohol abuse? Select all that apply.
a. The client reports weak leg muscles, and his gait is unsteady.
b. The client's abdomen is distended.
c. The client reports he was coughing up some blood.
d. The client reports he has double vision.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Mr. White is admitted to the hospital after an extended period of binge alcohol drinking.
His wife reports that he has been a heavy drinker for a number of years. Lab reports reveal he
has a blood alcohol level of 250 mg/dL. He is placed on the chemical addictions unit for
detoxification. When would the first signs of alcohol withdrawal symptoms be expected to
occur?
a. Several hours after the last drink.
b. 2 to 3 days after the last drink.
c. 4 to 5 days after the last drink.
d. 6 to 7 days after the last drink. - CORRECT ANSWER a. Several hours after the last
drink.
2. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
a. Euphoria, hyperactivity, and insomnia.
b. Depression, suicidal ideation, and hypersomnia.
c. Diaphoresis, nausea and vomiting, and tremors.
d. Unsteady gait, nystagmus, and profound disorientation. - CORRECT ANSWER c.
Diaphoresis, nausea and vomiting, and tremors.
3. Which of the following medications is the physician most likely to order for a client
experiencing alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
a. Haloperidol (Haldol)
b. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
c. Methadone (Dolophine)
d. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - CORRECT ANSWER b. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
4. Dan, who has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking
on the job, states to the nurse, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can handle my booze
better than anyone I know. My boss is a jerk! I haven't missed any more days than my
coworkers." What is the nurse's best response?
,a. "Maybe your boss is mistaken, Dan."
b. "You are here because your drinking was interfering with your work, Dan."
c. "Get real, Dan! You're a boozer and you know it!"
d. "What do you think your boss is a jerk, Dan?" - CORRECT ANSWER b. "You are
here because your drinking was interfering with your work, Dan."
5. Dan, who has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking
on the job, states to the nurse, "I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can handle my booze
better than anyone I know. My boss is a jerk! I haven't missed any more days than my
coworkers." What is the nurse's best response?
a. Denial
b. Projection
c. Displacement
D. Rationalization - CORRECT ANSWER a. Denial
6. Dan has been admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation unit after being fired for drinking on
the job. Dan's drinking buddies come for a visit, and when they leave, the nurse smells
alcohol on Dan's breath. Which of the following would be the best intervention with Dan at
this time?
a. Search his room for evidence.
b. Ask, "Have you been drinking alcohol, Dan?"
c. Send a urine specimen from Dan to the lab for drug screening.
d. Tell Dan, "These guys cannot come to the unit to visit you again." - CORRECT
ANSWER c. Send a urine specimen from Dan to the lab for drug screening.
7. Dan begins attendance at AA meetings. Which of the statements by Dan reflects the
purpose of this organization?
a. "They claim they will help me stay sober."
b. "I'll dry out in AA, then I can have a social drink now and then."
c. "AA is only for people who have reached the bottom."
d. "If I lose my job, AA will help me find another." - CORRECT ANSWER a. "They
claim they will help me stay sober."
, 8. From which of the following symptoms might the nurse identify a chronic cocaine user?
a. Clear, constricted pupils
b. Red, irritated nostrils
c. Muscle aches
d. Conjunctival redness - CORRECT ANSWER b. Red, irritated nostrils
9. An individual who is addicted to heroin is likely to experience which of the following
symptoms of withdrawal?
a. Increased heart rate and blood pressure
b. Tremors, insomnia, and seizures
c. Incoordination and unsteady gait
d. Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and diaphoresis - CORRECT ANSWER d. Nausea
and vomiting, diarrhea, and diaphoresis
10. A polysubstance abuser makes the statement, "The green and whites do me good after
speed." How might the nurse interpret the statement?
a. The client abuses amphetamines and anxiolytics.
b. The client abuses alcohol and cocaine.
c. The client is psychotic.
d. The client abuses narcotics and marijuana. - CORRECT ANSWER a. The client
abuses amphetamines and anxiolytics.
11. A client admitted to the ED smells strongly of alcohol, and his wife reports he has been a
heavy drinker for the last 25 years. Which of the following assessment findings are consistent
with long-term chronic alcohol abuse? Select all that apply.
a. The client reports weak leg muscles, and his gait is unsteady.
b. The client's abdomen is distended.
c. The client reports he was coughing up some blood.
d. The client reports he has double vision.
