Substance Use Quiz: Can You Spot The Dependence?

1. A patient reports using heroin 'just once' but shows signs of dependence. This best illustrates:

Psychological dependence only

Individual variation in susceptibility to addiction

Tolerance development

Cross-tolerance

2. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist used in overdose. Its duration of action is shorter than heroin's, so:

Multiple doses are never needed

Patient may require re-dosing and emergency transport

It prevents all future opioid use

It eliminates withdrawal symptoms permanently

3. Which comorbid psychiatric condition is most common in patients with substance use disorders?

Schizophrenia

Depression and anxiety disorders

Bipolar disorder

Autism spectrum disorder

4. Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based approach for substance use disorders that emphasizes:

Confrontation of denial

Eliciting intrinsic motivation for change

Mandatory abstinence rules

Pharmacotherapy only

5. The DSM-5 distinguishes substance use disorder severity as mild, moderate, or severe based on:

Type of substance only

Number of diagnostic criteria met

Patient age

Socioeconomic status

6. A key nursing intervention for a patient in acute withdrawal is to:

Administer large doses of the substance

Monitor vital signs and provide seizure precautions

Isolate the patient from support

Encourage immediate abstinence without medication

7. Nicotine withdrawal typically begins how long after last use?

Within 30 minutes to 2 hours

Within 6 to 12 hours

Within 24 to 48 hours

Within 1 week

8. Which assessment finding suggests chronic alcohol use?

Hepatomegaly and elevated liver enzymes

Hyperglycemia

Increased bone density

Elevated hemoglobin

9. Hallucinogen use (LSD, psilocybin) typically does NOT cause physical dependence, but can cause:

Severe withdrawal seizures

Psychological dependence and flashbacks

Respiratory depression

Cardiac arrhythmias

10. Which medication reduces cravings for alcohol and is FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder?

Acamprosate

Bupropion

Sertraline

Buspirone

11. Which criterion is required for diagnosis of a substance use disorder according to the DSM-5?

Use only on weekends

Continued use despite social or occupational problems

Use of any illicit substance

Family history of addiction

12. Stimulant use (cocaine, methamphetamine) primarily increases which neurotransmitter?

GABA

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Glutamate

13. Which is a sign of opioid overdose requiring immediate naloxone administration?

Increased heart rate

Dilated pupils

Respiratory depression

Agitation

14. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool for which substance use disorder?

Opioid dependence

Alcohol use disorder

Cocaine addiction

Cannabis dependence

15. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening. Which symptom indicates severe withdrawal?

Mild tremors

Insomnia

Seizures

Anxiety

16. A patient taking disulfiram consumes alcohol and experiences flushing, nausea, and chest pain. This is the intended:

Allergic reaction

Disulfiram-alcohol reaction

Withdrawal syndrome

Overdose response

17. Which medication is used as a maintenance therapy for opioid use disorder?

Naloxone

Methadone

Flumazenil

Disulfiram

18. Tolerance to a substance is best defined as:

Psychological desire to use the substance

Need for increased amounts to achieve the same effect

Physical discomfort when stopping use

Social acceptance of substance use

19. Which neurotransmitter is primarily affected by opioid use?