Free Substance Use Disorders MCQs with Answers

• A. The person needs more of the substance to obtain the same effect
• B. The person develops symptoms after suddenly stopping the substance
• C. The person continues use despite repeated social and health problems
• D. The person experiences intoxication after taking a usual small amount

Explanation: Tolerance means that repeated use causes a reduced response, so larger amounts are needed for the same effect.

• A. Offer fluids to prevent dehydration
• B. Provide airway and ventilatory support and give naloxone
• C. Place the patient in a quiet room for observation
• D. Ask the patient about the source of the opioid

Explanation: Severe respiratory depression and cyanosis indicate an immediate breathing emergency.

• A. Mild nausea and reduced appetite
• B. Fine hand tremor with mild anxiety
• C. Visual hallucinations with severe agitation and sweating
• D. Headache with increased sensitivity to light

Explanation: Hallucinations, severe agitation, and marked sweating may indicate severe alcohol withdrawal and progression toward delirium tremens.

• A. It usually causes increased appetite and prolonged sleep
• B. It may cause anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and seizures
• C. It is safely prevented by stopping the medicine suddenly
• D. It is treated by giving repeated doses of a stimulant

Explanation: Benzodiazepine withdrawal can produce anxiety, insomnia, tremors, perceptual changes, and seizures.

• A. You must stop drinking now or your health will worsen
• B. Why do you continue drinking when you know it is harmful?
• C. What changes in your drinking, if any, would you like to consider?
• D. Your family is correct that you need complete abstinence today

Explanation: Motivational interviewing uses an open, nonjudgmental question that supports patient autonomy and explores readiness for change.

• A. Physical dependence always means the person has lost control of use
• B. Addiction occurs only when a person has physical withdrawal symptoms
• C. Physical dependence can cause withdrawal, while addiction includes harmful compulsive use
• D. Addiction and physical dependence are exactly the same clinical condition

Explanation: Physical dependence is an adaptation that can produce withdrawal when a substance is reduced or stopped.

• A. Place the patient in a low-stimulation area and monitor cardiac status
• B. Encourage vigorous exercise to remove the drug from the body
• C. Give a caffeinated drink to prevent fatigue and sleep
• D. Leave the patient alone until the effects have completely ended

Explanation: Stimulant intoxication can cause dysrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, hyperthermia, seizures, and severe agitation.

• A. Slow respirations with pinpoint pupils
• B. Decreased bowel sounds with marked drowsiness
• C. Yawning, lacrimation, diarrhea, and enlarged pupils
• D. Unresponsiveness with cyanosis and weak breathing

Explanation: Opioid withdrawal commonly causes yawning, tearing, runny nose, sweating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, piloerection, and dilated pupils.

• A. To prove that the patient has an alcohol use disorder
• B. To measure symptoms and guide timely withdrawal treatment
• C. To determine whether the patient should be discharged immediately
• D. To replace physical assessment and monitoring of vital signs

Explanation: A structured tool helps quantify withdrawal symptoms and supports timely, consistent treatment according to the facility protocol.

• A. I will avoid all people and activities until cravings disappear
• B. I will handle future cravings alone so I do not burden others
• C. I will identify a support person and use a planned coping strategy during stress
• D. I will keep a small supply of the drug in case withdrawal returns

Explanation: Relapse prevention includes identifying triggers, preparing coping responses, and using supportive people or services before a crisis…

• A. Using the substance occasionally in social settings
• B. Continuing use despite repeated harmful consequences
• C. Experiencing mild pleasure after the first use
• D. Having a family member who uses substances

Explanation: A substance use disorder involves impaired control and continued use despite physical, psychological, or social harm.

• A. Place the patient in a side-lying position
• B. Offer coffee to increase alertness
• C. Encourage the patient to walk around
• D. Allow the patient to sleep without observation

Explanation: Side-lying positioning helps protect the airway from aspiration when consciousness and the gag reflex are reduced.

• A. Intravenous thiamine administration
• B. Oral iron supplementation
• C. Intramuscular vitamin K administration
• D. Increased dietary calcium intake

Explanation: The findings suggest Wernicke encephalopathy caused by thiamine deficiency.

• A. Yawning with increased bowel sounds
• B. Pinpoint pupils with slow breathing
• C. Dilated pupils with severe sweating
• D. Tremor with marked anxiety

Explanation: Opioid intoxication commonly causes central nervous system depression, pinpoint pupils, and respiratory depression.

• A. Respiratory rate and level of sedation
• B. Skin moisture and pupil size only
• C. Bowel movement frequency and appetite
• D. Muscle strength and hearing acuity

Explanation: Methadone is a long-acting opioid and may cause excessive sedation and respiratory depression, especially during treatment initiation or…

• A. Maintain airway support and monitor breathing
• B. Administer a stimulant drink by mouth
• C. Keep the patient walking to prevent sleep
• D. Give an extra sedative to control anxiety

Explanation: Benzodiazepine overdose is managed first with airway, breathing, circulation support and close observation.

• A. Slow pulse and constricted pupils
• B. Increased energy with reduced need for sleep
• C. Slurred speech with poor coordination
• D. Cold skin with markedly slowed breathing

Explanation: Stimulants commonly produce increased alertness, reduced need for sleep, tachycardia, hypertension, and agitation.

• A. Cannabis can impair reaction time and judgment
• B. Cannabis always causes complete unconsciousness
• C. Cannabis improves coordination at low doses
• D. Cannabis prevents all memory formation

Explanation: Cannabis may impair attention, reaction time, coordination, and judgment, which makes driving unsafe.

• A. Assess suicide risk repeatedly and provide safety monitoring
• B. Leave the patient alone to promote uninterrupted sleep
• C. Give a stimulant medication without a prescription
• D. Tell the patient that depression is not related to withdrawal

Explanation: Stimulant withdrawal can include a marked depressive phase with fatigue and increased sleep, and suicide risk may change during…

• A. How much do you use, and when was your last use?
• B. Why did you make such an unhealthy choice?
• C. Do you agree that substances are always harmful?
• D. Can you promise never to use the substance again?

Explanation: A neutral question about amount, frequency, and last use helps determine intoxication risk, withdrawal risk, and immediate treatment…