NURSING 465 Psychiatry & Substance
Use Treatment
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Which combination of professionals is most essential in developing a
comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with co-occurring mental
health and substance use disorders?
A. Psychiatrists, Substance Use Counselors, and Pharmacists
B. Nurses, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists
C. Psychiatrists, Addiction Psychologists, Licensed Chemical
Dependency Counselors, and Case Managers
D. Primary Care Physicians, Physical Therapists, and Nutritionists
ANS: C
Rationale: Comprehensive care for dual diagnoses requires expertise
in both mental health and addiction; thus, a team including psychiatrists,
specialized addiction professionals, and case managers ensures that all
facets—from diagnosis to coordinated follow-up—are appropriately
addressed.
2. In the DSM-5, substance use disorder is diagnosed based on the
presence of ___ or more symptoms occurring within a 12-month period.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5
ANS: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 specifies that at least 2 of 11 criteria must be
met in a 12-month period to diagnose a substance use disorder,
acknowledging that even a moderate endorsement indicates clinically
meaningful impairment.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the reward pathway
of substance use disorders?
A. Serotonin
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
2
, D. GABA
ANS: C
Rationale: Dopamine plays a pivotal role in the brain’s reward circuit,
reinforcing behaviors related to substance use and contributing
significantly to the development of addiction.
4. Which pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder acts as a partial
agonist, mitigating misuse while reducing cravings?
A. Methadone
B. Buprenorphine
C. Naltrexone
D. Clonidine
ANS: B
Rationale: Buprenorphine’s partial agonist properties help reduce
opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the full euphoria
associated with full agonists, thereby lowering misuse and overdose risks.
5. In a dual-diagnosis treatment plan involving mood disorders and
substance dependency, the most effective approach is:
A. Sole reliance on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
B. Exclusive use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
C. A combination of pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy
D. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
ANS: C
Rationale: An integrative approach that combines medication
management with psychotherapeutic interventions addresses both the
psychiatric and substance use aspects, promoting improved overall
outcomes.
6. Which assessment tool is most commonly used by nurses to evaluate
the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms in a clinical setting?
A. Hamilton Depression Scale
B. Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS)
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
3
, ANS: B
Rationale: The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) provides a
standardized measure to assess the severity of opioid withdrawal
symptoms, ensuring appropriate monitoring and management during
detoxification.
7. Which concept in trauma-informed care emphasizes the importance
of understanding a patient’s lifetime trauma and its impact on their
current behavior?
A. Safety
B. Trustworthiness
C. Empowerment
D. Collaboration
ANS: D
Rationale: Collaboration is key in trauma-informed care—it involves
partnering with patients, understanding their history, and sharing
responsibility in the treatment process to rebuild trust and engagement.
8. Which statement best describes the harm reduction approach in
substance use treatment?
A. Forcing complete abstinence to eliminate any substance use
B. Providing education and resources to reduce risks associated with
drug use without necessarily requiring abstinence
C. Mandating detoxification in a controlled environment
D. None of the above
ANS: B
Rationale: Harm reduction focuses on minimizing negative health
outcomes (e.g., infectious diseases, overdose) by reducing risks while
meeting patients where they are, rather than insisting on immediate
abstinence.
9. Within an interprofessional substance use treatment team, which role
is most specialized in coordinating patient follow-ups with community
resources?
A. Case Manager
4
Use Treatment
Final Exam Review
(Questions & Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Which combination of professionals is most essential in developing a
comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with co-occurring mental
health and substance use disorders?
A. Psychiatrists, Substance Use Counselors, and Pharmacists
B. Nurses, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists
C. Psychiatrists, Addiction Psychologists, Licensed Chemical
Dependency Counselors, and Case Managers
D. Primary Care Physicians, Physical Therapists, and Nutritionists
ANS: C
Rationale: Comprehensive care for dual diagnoses requires expertise
in both mental health and addiction; thus, a team including psychiatrists,
specialized addiction professionals, and case managers ensures that all
facets—from diagnosis to coordinated follow-up—are appropriately
addressed.
2. In the DSM-5, substance use disorder is diagnosed based on the
presence of ___ or more symptoms occurring within a 12-month period.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5
ANS: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 specifies that at least 2 of 11 criteria must be
met in a 12-month period to diagnose a substance use disorder,
acknowledging that even a moderate endorsement indicates clinically
meaningful impairment.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the reward pathway
of substance use disorders?
A. Serotonin
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
2
, D. GABA
ANS: C
Rationale: Dopamine plays a pivotal role in the brain’s reward circuit,
reinforcing behaviors related to substance use and contributing
significantly to the development of addiction.
4. Which pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder acts as a partial
agonist, mitigating misuse while reducing cravings?
A. Methadone
B. Buprenorphine
C. Naltrexone
D. Clonidine
ANS: B
Rationale: Buprenorphine’s partial agonist properties help reduce
opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the full euphoria
associated with full agonists, thereby lowering misuse and overdose risks.
5. In a dual-diagnosis treatment plan involving mood disorders and
substance dependency, the most effective approach is:
A. Sole reliance on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
B. Exclusive use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
C. A combination of pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy
D. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
ANS: C
Rationale: An integrative approach that combines medication
management with psychotherapeutic interventions addresses both the
psychiatric and substance use aspects, promoting improved overall
outcomes.
6. Which assessment tool is most commonly used by nurses to evaluate
the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms in a clinical setting?
A. Hamilton Depression Scale
B. Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS)
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
3
, ANS: B
Rationale: The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) provides a
standardized measure to assess the severity of opioid withdrawal
symptoms, ensuring appropriate monitoring and management during
detoxification.
7. Which concept in trauma-informed care emphasizes the importance
of understanding a patient’s lifetime trauma and its impact on their
current behavior?
A. Safety
B. Trustworthiness
C. Empowerment
D. Collaboration
ANS: D
Rationale: Collaboration is key in trauma-informed care—it involves
partnering with patients, understanding their history, and sharing
responsibility in the treatment process to rebuild trust and engagement.
8. Which statement best describes the harm reduction approach in
substance use treatment?
A. Forcing complete abstinence to eliminate any substance use
B. Providing education and resources to reduce risks associated with
drug use without necessarily requiring abstinence
C. Mandating detoxification in a controlled environment
D. None of the above
ANS: B
Rationale: Harm reduction focuses on minimizing negative health
outcomes (e.g., infectious diseases, overdose) by reducing risks while
meeting patients where they are, rather than insisting on immediate
abstinence.
9. Within an interprofessional substance use treatment team, which role
is most specialized in coordinating patient follow-ups with community
resources?
A. Case Manager
4
