NUR 355 Psychiatric Nursing Exam: Alcohol Withdrawal, Chemical Dependency,
Detoxification Protocols, Benzodiazepine Management, Relapse Prevention,
Denial, Projection, Rationalization, Substance Use Disorders, Cocaine, Heroin,
Polysubstance Abuse, PTSD, Survivor’s Guilt, Panic, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, OCD,
Rituals, Trichotillomania, Habit Reversal Therapy, Body Dysmorphic Disorder,
Adjustment Disorders, Depression, Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, Eating Disorders,
Personality Disorders, BPD, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Schizotypal, Crisis
Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
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.
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.
,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)
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?"
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
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."
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."
a. "They claim they will help me stay sober."
8. From which of the following symptoms might the nurse identify a chronic cocaine user?
Detoxification Protocols, Benzodiazepine Management, Relapse Prevention,
Denial, Projection, Rationalization, Substance Use Disorders, Cocaine, Heroin,
Polysubstance Abuse, PTSD, Survivor’s Guilt, Panic, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, OCD,
Rituals, Trichotillomania, Habit Reversal Therapy, Body Dysmorphic Disorder,
Adjustment Disorders, Depression, Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, Eating Disorders,
Personality Disorders, BPD, Narcissistic, Antisocial, Schizotypal, Crisis
Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
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.
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.
,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)
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?"
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
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."
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."
a. "They claim they will help me stay sober."
8. From which of the following symptoms might the nurse identify a chronic cocaine user?
