Question 1

Which of the following terms is used to describe the need for markedly increased amounts of substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance is a term used to describe the need for increased amounts of substance to achieve the desired effect or intoxication, or a diminished effect with continued use of the same amount.

Question 2

Which of the following are pillars of Canada's Federal Drug Strategy? Select all that apply

Accepted Answer

The four pillars of Canada's Federal Drug Strategy are harm reduction, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. These pillars are aimed at addressing drug use and its impacts in a comprehensive approach. Each of the pillars is interdependent and equally important in achieving the objectives of the strategy.

Question 3

The harms of illicit drug use are made worse in which of the following social conditions? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Illicit drug use harms are made worse in social conditions where an individual is homeless, living in poverty, lacking permanent housing, and experiencing social marginalization. These individuals may also lack access to healthcare and support services, making it difficult for them to address their drug use and related health issues. In addition, they may be more likely to face legal consequences or stigma due to their drug use, which can further increase harm and barriers to recovery.

Question 4

What term is used to describe a maladaptive pattern of substance use that results in harmful consequences due to repeated use?

Accepted Answer

Substance use disorder is the term used to describe a maladaptive pattern of substance use that results in harmful consequences due to repeated use. Substance dependence refers to a more severe form of substance use disorder characterized by physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Substance use and experimentation do not necessarily imply harmful consequences or a pattern of maladaptive use.

Question 5

What is the leading cause of preventable death in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths, as well as a range of other health problems such as heart disease and respiratory illness. While alcohol and illicit drug use can also be harmful, they do not cause as many preventable deaths as tobacco use. Licit drug use, such as prescription medication, is generally safe when used as directed by a healthcare provider.

Question 6

What is the most commonly used substance in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in Canada, with a wide range of adults consuming it in various forms and settings, making it more socially accepted and prevalent than other substances listed.

Question 7

A group of nurses are working in an impoverished area of a large city where substance use is present. The nurses are an integral part of the city's four-pillar drug strategy. Which examples are consistent with a harm reduction approach to substance use? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Harm reduction strategies focus on minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug use. Needle exchange programs and supervised consumption sites are both harm reduction approaches that aim to reduce the risks of infectious diseases and overdose.

Question 8

A group of nurses are working in an impoverished area of a large city where substance use is present. The nurses are an integral part of the city's four-pillar drug strategy. The nurses are working with an advocacy group to develop alternatives to incarceration of repeat substance-involved offenders. What initiative would meet this goal?

Accepted Answer

Starting a drug treatment court program would provide an alternative to incarceration for repeat substance-involved offenders while also addressing their underlying addiction issues. Methadone maintenance treatment and providing free crack kits do not address the issue of repeat offenses and may even enable drug use. Stronger health warning labels may increase awareness of the risks associated with substance use, but would not provide an alternative to incarceration.

Question 9

Which of the following terms is used to describe drugs that are used for medicinal purposes?

Accepted Answer

Licit drugs are drugs that are legally available for purchase and use for medicinal purposes, under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Illicit drugs, street drugs, and legitimate drugs are not appropriate terms to describe drugs used for medicinal purposes.

Question 10

A group of nurses are working in an impoverished area of a large city where substance use is present. The nurses are an integral part of the city's four-pillar drug strategy. The nurses are educating the community on the new Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines. What level of prevention are the nurses working at?

Accepted Answer

The nurses are working at the primary prevention level as they are educating the community on Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines to prevent substance abuse before it occurs. Tertiary prevention is focused on managing and treating existing illness or injury. Secondary prevention is focused on detecting and treating illness or injury as early as possible to prevent further complications. Primordial prevention is focused on preventing the development of risk factors for a condition.

Question 11

Which of the following populations in Canada can be at increased risk for prescription drug abuse?

Accepted Answer

Health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, have easier access to prescription drugs and may be more likely to abuse them or divert them for illicit use.

Question 12

Which of the following are described as behavioural addictions? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Gambling and shopping are commonly recognized as behavioural addictions, while opioid pain medication use and regular cannabis use are considered substance addictions.

Question 13

Which of the following terms is consistent with the principles of patient-centred pain management where there is an emphasis on the need for health care professionals to be self-reflexive to recognize that the client may experience the world differently?

Accepted Answer

Cultural safety is consistent with the principles of patient-centred pain management as it emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to recognize that clients may experience the world differently and that their cultural backgrounds impact their health experiences. It also encourages healthcare professionals to reflect on their own beliefs and values to provide care that is respectful and safe for all clients. A) Cultural competence and B) Cultural awareness are important concepts but do not fully address the need for self-reflexivity and the recognition of different cultural experiences. D) Cultural violence is not a relevant concept in this context.

Question 14

Sherry is a community health nurse doing a postpartum home visit. She notices that the infant may be experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome? Which of the following types of drugs is the mother most likely to have used?

Accepted Answer

Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a condition that occurs when a newborn has withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to opioids in the womb.

Question 15

Why is it important for community health nurses to take intersectional analysis in their substance use work? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Intersectional analysis considers how multiple identity factors, such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation, interact with each other and affect a person's experiences and access to resources. In the context of substance use, understanding these intersections is crucial in addressing the root causes of problematic substance use and providing holistic and equitable care. It draws attention to the dynamics of how substance use is shaped by social identity and different forms of oppression, guides healthcare providers in addressing multiple inequities and stigmas, and recognizes how people's experiences are affected by their disadvantages across multiple dimensions.

Question 16

Which of the following are determinants of problematic substance use? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are determinants of...

Question 17

The recent surge in the abuse of _____________ can cost up to $50 billion a year.

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the abuse of prescription opioid pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine can cost up to $50 billion a year in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity costs.

Question 18

James is a community health nurse working with his client Joseph. Joseph is currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms. What term is best used to describe Joseph's experience?

Accepted Answer

Physical dependence is the term used to describe the negative physiological symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance that they have become dependent on, such as withdrawal symptoms. Addiction refers to a more complex condition characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences, and substance use disorder covers a range of substance-related conditions that can involve physical dependence, addiction, and other factors. Psychological dependence refers to the emotional and mental reliance on a substance, but it may or may not involve physical withdrawal symptoms.

Question 19

Poverty is a significant systemic factor that increases risk related to substance use. A community health nurse is working to support public policy making that reduces structural inequities. What level of prevention is the nurse working at?

Accepted Answer

Primordial prevention involves actions to minimize future hazards to health and inhibit the establishment of factors that increase the risk of disease, such as addressing structural inequities and poverty.

Question 20

A group of nurses are working in an impoverished area of a large city where substance use is present. The nurses want to focus on substance use primary prevention strategies for youth in this neighbourhood. What would be the best strategy to use with this population?

Accepted Answer

Holding a drug education workshop for at risk youth would be the best strategy for primary prevention. This approach educates youth on the risks associated with substance use and empowers them to make informed decisions about their health. Implementing a medically supervised safe injection site or engaging police in closing down drug houses are harm reduction strategies, while encouraging the development of a home drinking policy may not address the root causes of substance use in this population.

Quiz 30: Substance Use