NURSING 6005 CHAPTER 40: DRUG ABUSE IV: MAJOR DRUGS OF ABUSE
OTHER THAN ALCOHOL AND NICOTINE
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is teaching a drug prevention class to a group of parents of adolescents. Which
statement by a parent indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “Compared with alcohol, marijuana has little or no long-term adverse effects.”
b. “Ecstasy causes reversible damage to serotonergic neurons.”
c. “LSD does not cause an abstinence syndrome when it is withdrawn.”
d. “Most individuals who abuse opioids began using them therapeutically.”
ANS: C
Although tolerance to LSD develops rapidly, there is no abstinence syndrome with abrupt
withdrawal of the drug, and tolerance fades rapidly. Many adverse behavioral, subjective, and
long-term effects are associated with chronic use of marijuana. MDMA (Ecstasy) can cause
irreversible damage to serotonergic neurons. Most people who go on to abuse opioids begin
their drug use illicitly; only an exceedingly small percentage of those exposed to opioids
therapeutically go on to abuse these drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) | Tolerance and Dependence | Marijuana | Behavioral and
Subjective Effects | 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) | Adverse Effects |
Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Patterns of Use
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2. A provider orders clonidine (Catapres) for a patient withdrawing from opioids. When
explaining the rationale for this drug choice, the nurse will tell this patient that clonidine
(Catapres) is used to:
a. prevent opioid craving.
b. reduce somnolence and drowsiness.
c. relieve symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
d. stimulate autonomic activity.
ANS: C
When administered to an individual physically dependent on opioids, clonidine can suppress
some symptoms of abstinence. Clonidine is most effective against symptoms related to
autonomic hyperactivity, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Clonidine does not
stimulate autonomic activity; it is effective against symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity.
Clonidine does not reduce somnolence and drowsiness. Clonidine does not prevent opioid
craving.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Detoxification | Clonidine-Assisted Withdrawal
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3. What is the primary reason for opioid abuse?
, a. Ease of access
b. Initial “rush” similar to orgasm
c. Peer pressure
d. Prolonged sense of euphoria
ANS: D
The primary reason for opioid abuse is the prolonged sense of euphoria that occurs after the
initial rush. Healthcare professionals have easy access to opioids, which makes them more
vulnerable to abuse of these drugs, but this is not the primary reason for abuse in the greater
population. The initial rush lasts about 45 seconds and is not the primary reason for opioid
abuse. Peer pressure is not the primary reason for opioid abuse.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Patterns of Use | Subjective and Behavioral Effects
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. A nurse is discussing the differences between OxyContin OC and OxyContin OP with a group
of nursing students. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “OxyContin OC cannot be drawn into a syringe for injection.”
b. “OxyContin OP has greater solubility in water and alcohol.”
c. “OxyContin OP is not easily crushed into a powder.”
d. “Patients using OxyContin OP are less likely to overdose.”
ANS: C
OxyContin OP is a newer formulation that is designed to reduce OxyContin abuse. The OP
formulation is much harder to crush into a powder. The OC preparation can be crushed and
dissolved in water or alcohol and can easily be drawn into a syringe. The OP preparation does
not dissolve easily in these solutions. Despite the differences in preparation, there is no
indication that either form is less subject to abuse or overdose.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Preferred Drugs and Routes of Administration |
Oxycodone TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
5. A patient arrives in the emergency department complaining of dizziness, lightheadedness, and
a pulsating headache. Further assessment reveals a blood pressure of 82/60 mm Hg and
palpitations. The patient’s friends tell the nurse that they were experimenting with “poppers.”
The nurse will expect to administer which medication?
a. Diazepam (Valium)
b. Haloperidol (Haldol)
c. Methylene blue and supplemental oxygen
d. Naloxone (Narcan)
ANS: C
These findings are consistent with volatile nitrate overdose, as evidenced by the venous
dilation. The primary toxicity is methemoglobinemia, which can be treated with methylene
blue and supplemental oxygen. Diazepam would not be used for patients experiencing volatile
nitrate overdose, but it may be used in patients who have overdosed on hallucinogens.
Haloperidol would be used in patients who have overdosed on amphetamines. Naloxone
would be used to treat an opioid overdose.
OTHER THAN ALCOHOL AND NICOTINE
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is teaching a drug prevention class to a group of parents of adolescents. Which
statement by a parent indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “Compared with alcohol, marijuana has little or no long-term adverse effects.”
b. “Ecstasy causes reversible damage to serotonergic neurons.”
c. “LSD does not cause an abstinence syndrome when it is withdrawn.”
d. “Most individuals who abuse opioids began using them therapeutically.”
ANS: C
Although tolerance to LSD develops rapidly, there is no abstinence syndrome with abrupt
withdrawal of the drug, and tolerance fades rapidly. Many adverse behavioral, subjective, and
long-term effects are associated with chronic use of marijuana. MDMA (Ecstasy) can cause
irreversible damage to serotonergic neurons. Most people who go on to abuse opioids begin
their drug use illicitly; only an exceedingly small percentage of those exposed to opioids
therapeutically go on to abuse these drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) | Tolerance and Dependence | Marijuana | Behavioral and
Subjective Effects | 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) | Adverse Effects |
Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Patterns of Use
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2. A provider orders clonidine (Catapres) for a patient withdrawing from opioids. When
explaining the rationale for this drug choice, the nurse will tell this patient that clonidine
(Catapres) is used to:
a. prevent opioid craving.
b. reduce somnolence and drowsiness.
c. relieve symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
d. stimulate autonomic activity.
ANS: C
When administered to an individual physically dependent on opioids, clonidine can suppress
some symptoms of abstinence. Clonidine is most effective against symptoms related to
autonomic hyperactivity, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Clonidine does not
stimulate autonomic activity; it is effective against symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity.
Clonidine does not reduce somnolence and drowsiness. Clonidine does not prevent opioid
craving.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Detoxification | Clonidine-Assisted Withdrawal
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3. What is the primary reason for opioid abuse?
, a. Ease of access
b. Initial “rush” similar to orgasm
c. Peer pressure
d. Prolonged sense of euphoria
ANS: D
The primary reason for opioid abuse is the prolonged sense of euphoria that occurs after the
initial rush. Healthcare professionals have easy access to opioids, which makes them more
vulnerable to abuse of these drugs, but this is not the primary reason for abuse in the greater
population. The initial rush lasts about 45 seconds and is not the primary reason for opioid
abuse. Peer pressure is not the primary reason for opioid abuse.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Patterns of Use | Subjective and Behavioral Effects
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. A nurse is discussing the differences between OxyContin OC and OxyContin OP with a group
of nursing students. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “OxyContin OC cannot be drawn into a syringe for injection.”
b. “OxyContin OP has greater solubility in water and alcohol.”
c. “OxyContin OP is not easily crushed into a powder.”
d. “Patients using OxyContin OP are less likely to overdose.”
ANS: C
OxyContin OP is a newer formulation that is designed to reduce OxyContin abuse. The OP
formulation is much harder to crush into a powder. The OC preparation can be crushed and
dissolved in water or alcohol and can easily be drawn into a syringe. The OP preparation does
not dissolve easily in these solutions. Despite the differences in preparation, there is no
indication that either form is less subject to abuse or overdose.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: Heroin, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids | Preferred Drugs and Routes of Administration |
Oxycodone TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
5. A patient arrives in the emergency department complaining of dizziness, lightheadedness, and
a pulsating headache. Further assessment reveals a blood pressure of 82/60 mm Hg and
palpitations. The patient’s friends tell the nurse that they were experimenting with “poppers.”
The nurse will expect to administer which medication?
a. Diazepam (Valium)
b. Haloperidol (Haldol)
c. Methylene blue and supplemental oxygen
d. Naloxone (Narcan)
ANS: C
These findings are consistent with volatile nitrate overdose, as evidenced by the venous
dilation. The primary toxicity is methemoglobinemia, which can be treated with methylene
blue and supplemental oxygen. Diazepam would not be used for patients experiencing volatile
nitrate overdose, but it may be used in patients who have overdosed on hallucinogens.
Haloperidol would be used in patients who have overdosed on amphetamines. Naloxone
would be used to treat an opioid overdose.
