Substance Abuse

Independent Analysis

10 Contact Hours - Course 3175

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1. Payment for online courses must be received before you submit your Independent Analysis and your required course Evaluation questionaire. For questions, please read our Instructions.

2. This Independent Analysis is for you to quiz your knowledge that you have obtained from reading this course material. This is an independent exercise. Your grade will not be recorded.

3. This Independent Analysis is for you to quiz your knowledge that you have obtained from reading this course material. This is an independent exercise. The results of your quiz will be automatically sent and recorded by NurseCE.

4. To find out if you have understood the material, click on "Submit" when you are completely finished with the Independent Analysis, and your answers will be checked and your results will be displayed.

5. Your Certificate will be mailed to you First Class only when you complete and submit the required Independent Analysis Evaluation.

6. Complete required Evaluation.

Instructions:
Answer each of the following questions (there is only one correct answer to each question).

1.	According to the text, experts in addiction medicine define substance addiction as

         A. the ingestion of a chemically active agent.
         B. a compulsive, maladaptive dependence resulting in adverse physical, psychological and legal outcomes.
         C. a maladaptive pattern of use leading to difficulties in meeting major obligations.
         D. a cluster of cognitive, behavioral and physical symptoms with continued use despite problems.

2.	Development of tolerance for a drug, with increasing amounts needed to produce the desired effect, is considered an indication of drug:

         A. use
         B. abuse
         C. dependence
         D. preference

3.	The largest and most highly developed structure in the human brain, responsible for complex thought and action, is the:

         A. cerebral cortex
         B. cerebellum
         C. diencephalon
         D. limbic system

4.	Neurotransmission, the transfer of a message from one nerve cell to another, is accomplished through:

         A. direct contact between the axon of one cell and the dendrites of another
         B. release of chemical substances into the space between the cells
         C. an electrical charge created between the cell's nuclei
         D. all of the above

5.	The mesolimbic dopamine system of the brain, also known as the pleasure circuit, contains all of the following structures except:

         A. the nucleus accumbens in the limbic system
         B. the ventral tegmental area of the brainstem
         C. the cerebellar hemispheres
         D. the frontal cerebral cortex

6.	Drugs that affect the way the brain works do so by:

         A. mimicking the effects of a natural neurotransmitter
         B. blocking neuroreceptors
         C. causing excessive release of neurotransmitters
         D. all of the above

7.	Marijuana creates feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and heightened sensation by:

         A. stimulating the dopamine pathway within the pleasure circuit
         B. causing cascades of serotonin to be released into the brain
         C. increasing the activity level of neurons throughout the brain
         D. causing the brain to create more cannabinoid receptors

8.	Children whose mothers used marijuana before and during gestation have a significantly increased risk for:

         A. nonlymphoblastic leukemia
         B. juvenile diabetes
         C. spina bifida and other neural tube defects
         D. learning disabilities

9.	Adverse physical effects of marijuana use include:

         A. chronic diarrhea
         B. loss of appetite
         C. headache
         D. itchy, scaly skin

10.	In addition to adolescents and young adults, persons at high risk for development of marijuana abuse include those:

         A. diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder
         B. subjected to chronic low levels of stress
         C. engaged in high risk occupations
         D. all of the above

11.	In comparison to powder cocaine, "crack" is:

         A. more likely to be injected or inhaled
         B. preferred for the slow, steady euphoria it produces
         C. unlikely to produce addiction or other health consequences
         D. less expensive to produce and to buy

12.	The process of inhaling cocaine powder through the nostrils, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues, is known as:

         A. huffing
         B. snorting
         C. mainlining
         D. freebasing

13.	Medical complications of cocaine use include all of the following except:

         A. loss of sense of smell
         B. suneurological problems such as seizure or stroke
         C. significant weight gain
         D. abdominal pain and nausea

14.	Recent research has indicated that "crack babies," whose mothers used cocaine during their pregnancy:

         A. suffered severe brain damage leading to reduced intelligence and lack of social skills
         B. are likely to have reduced life expectancy
         C. may have difficulty concentrating when they reach school age
         D. should expect no ill effects from the cocaine exposure

15.	Treatment of individuals for cocaine addiction is complicated by the fact that they:

         A. may have sustained permanent biological changes in their brains
         B. often use multiple drugs in addition to cocaine
         C. present with a wide variety of psychological and social issues
         D. all of the above

16.	Most of the methamphetamine used in the United States is:

         A. imported from Asia and South America
         B. manufactured in small clandestine laboratories from inexpensive, easy to obtain materials
         C. diverted from pharmacy stocks intended for legitimate medical use
         D. smuggled in from Europe, where it is legal

17.	Oral ingestion of methamphetamine produces:

         A. an immediate, intensely pleasurable rush that lasts for about three minutes
         B. a noticeable high within fifteen to twenty minutes of the dose
         C. marked agitation and paranoia in most users
         D. feelings of alertness and well being that can last for days

18.	Long-term abusers of methamphetamine may experience "formication", which is:

         A. gradual deformity of the face and neck
         B. engaging in illicit sex in exchange for drugs
         C. the sensation of insects crawling on one's skin
         D. excess production of mucus

19.	Chronic use of methamphetamine leads to:

         A. chronic somnolence and fatigue
         B. damage to dopamine producing cells in the brain
         C. clear physical manifestations of withdrawal
         D. an irreversible psychotic state

20.	Emergency room treatment of amphetamine overdose should focus on:

         A. immediate physical symptoms of hyperthermia or convulsions
         B. administration of prophylactic doses of narcoleptics for possible psychosis
         C. use of benzodiazepines to calm the patient
         D. sedation and observation

21.	At this time the most effective treatments for methamphetamine abuse are:

         A. antidepressants
         B. anxiolytics combined with group and family counseling
         C. cognitive and behavioral interventions
         D. 12 step recovery support programs

22.	Abuse of Ritalin and other medications used to treat ADHD has been documented among:

         A. elementary school children
         B. middle and high school students
         C. street addicts
         D. all of the above

23.	Two important effects produced by the naturally occurring endorphins and opiate drugs alike are:

         A. enhanced alertness and energy
         B. pleasure and pain relief
         C. euphoria and relaxation
         D. confidence and sociability

24.	Death from a heroin overdose is usually due to:

         A. asphyxiation from aspiration of stomach contents
         B. severe cardiac arrhythmia
         C. uncontrolled seizures
         D. brain stem mediated respiratory arrest

25.	Heroin is preferred over other opiates by most street users because it:

         A. enters the brain and produces its effects more quickly
         B. is more predictable in its strength, duration, and effects
         C. can be obtained more easily
         D. is less likely to cause addiction

26.	Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include all of the following except:

         A. muscle and bone pain
         B. "cold turkey"
         C. somnolence and stupor
         D. diarrhea and vomiting

27.	Medications that may be used to treat heroin addiction include:

         A. LAAM
         B. diazepam
         C. meperidine
         D. phencyclidine

28.	Buprenorphine is an attractive treatment for heroin addiction because it:

         A. causes weaker opiate effects.
         B. is less expensive than alternative medications
         C. has a proven track record in the United States
         D. all of the above

29.	The opiate analog drug MPTP causes its users to develop:

         A. decreased tolerance for heroin, with increased risk for overdose
         B. clubbing of the fingers and toes
         C. Parkinson-like immobility
         D. heart arrhythmias and respiratory problems

30.	Which of the following hallucinogens is considered to be addictive?

         A. LSD
         B. MDMA
         C. mescaline
         D. psilocybin

31.	LSD users may experience synesthesia, which is defined as:

         A. feeling that one's body is changing shape
         B. perceiving oneself as hearing colors or seeing sounds
         C. experiencing several emotions simultaneously
         D. fearing death or loss of control

32.	Research and clinical evidence indicate that LSD-induced persistent psychosis:

         A. may result in marked blunting of affect
         B. includes vivid visual disturbances and hallucinations
         C. usually occurs after prolonged, regular LSD use
         D. only affects persons with a history of psychological problems

33.	A dose of 5mg or less of PCP is likely to produce:

         A. slow, labored breathing
         B. elevated blood pressure
         C. hypothermia
         D. insensitivity to pain

34.	An overdose of dextromethorphan, found in over the counter cough and cold remedies, is likely to produce:

         A. distorted visual perceptions
         B. feelings of dissociation
         C. ketamine-like effects
         D. all of the above

35.	The street names Adam, hug, and beans refer to the club drug:

         A. MDMA
         B. LSD
         C. ketamine
         D. methamphetamine

36.	Recent studies have indicated that use of Ecstasy may result in:

         A. significant reduction of serotonin producing brain cells
         B. birth defects in children of chronic users
         C. persistent symptoms of paranoia and disorientation
         D. all of the above

37.	All of the following drugs have been frequently implicated in "drug rape" except:

         A. ketamine
         B. GHB
         C. rohypnol
         D. LSD

38.	Nitrites are considered to be a special class of inhalants because they:

         A. act on the blood vessels and muscles rather than the brain
         B. are not available in any commercial products
         C. are used primarily by children and younger adolescents
         D. act as mood enhancers

39.	Data from national and state surveys indicate that inhalant abuse:

         A. reaches its peak during 11th and 12th grade
         B. is consistently more common among boys than girls
         C. very rarely extends into adulthood
         D. is associated with poor grades and school dropouts

40.	Most inhalants produce their effects by:

         A. depressing the central nervous system
         B. acting as CNS stimulants
         C. binding to opiate receptors in the brain's pleasure circuit
         D. altering glucose metabolism in the brain

41.	DHEA and Andro, taken for their anabolic effects, are available:

         A. for legal purchase in health food stores
         B. by prescription only
         C. by mail or Internet order from foreign sources only
         D. only from illegal manufacturers

42.	Steroid abuse is growing most rapidly among:

         A. elementary and middle school-age boys
         B. young women
         C. professional athletes
         D. middle age and older men

43.	One of the main reasons people give for using steroids is to:

         A. improve their performance in sports
         B. counter the side effects of cardiovascular medications
         C. slow the aging process
         D. enhance sexual arousal and performance

44.	The most commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include all of the following except:

         A. opioids
         B. stimulants
         C. anticonvulsants
         D. CNS depressants

45.	Intubation of the drug overdose patient should occur:

         A. immediately upon admission as a precautionary measure
         B. upon completion of gastric lavage
         C. whenever the patient's level of consciousness begins to decline
         D. after administration of specific drug antidotes

46.	The general principles for treatment of drug abuse include all of the following except:

         A. Treatment needs to be available and readily accessible.
         B. The treatment plan should be modified as necessary to meet changing needs.
         C. Adequate duration of treatment is essential for success.
         D. Treatment should focus on the drug abuse rather than related psychosocial issues.

47.	Research indicates that for most patients, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about:

         A. 6 weeks in treatment
         B. 3 months in treatment
         C. 6 months in treatment
         D. 18 months in treatment

48.	The goal of medical detoxification is to:

         A. manage acute symptoms of drug withdrawal
         B. assess the patient's commitment and motivation for treatment
         C. alter chronic drug use patterns
         D. eliminate the patient's addiction to the drug

49.	Protective factors associated with reduced potential for drug use include:

         A. strong and positive family bonds
         B. clear and consistent rules of conduct
         C. acceptance of conventional norms regarding drug abuse
         D. all of the above

50.	Effective drug abuse prevention programs are:

         A. very expensive, but necessary to prevent human suffering
         B. disappearing due to competing claims on the shrinking health care dollar
         C. cost effective in reducing community expenditures for drug treatment and counseling
         D. increasingly seen as the responsibility of the private sector

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