Question 1
Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for a fatal opioid overdose?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D - A patient released from jail yesterday after 7 months without opioids
10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The CARN exam has 150 questions and runs 3 hours.
These 10 free CARN questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Addictions Registered Nurse blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for a fatal opioid overdose?
Correct answer: D - A patient released from jail yesterday after 7 months without opioids
A patient who used cocaine approximately 2 hours ago presents to the emergency department with crushing chest pain. Heart rate is 124, blood pressure is 186/104, and the patient is diaphoretic and anxious. Which prescribed medication should the nurse question?
Correct answer: C - Metoprolol
A patient reports last using fentanyl 9 hours ago and has a COWS score of 5. Sublingual buprenorphine is administered. Within 30 minutes the patient develops severe agitation, vomiting, profuse sweating, and diffuse muscle aches. Which explanation for this change is MOST likely?
Correct answer: D - Buprenorphine displaced fentanyl at the receptor, precipitating withdrawal
A patient's last alcoholic drink was approximately 18 hours ago. The patient reports seeing insects crawling on the wall and is frightened by them, but is fully oriented to person, place, time, and situation. Vital signs are within normal limits. Which condition is MOST consistent with these findings?
Correct answer: B - Alcoholic hallucinosis
A patient found unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 6 receives naloxone and becomes alert, with a respiratory rate of 16. The patient states they used a substance sold as heroin and now wants to leave. Which nursing action is MOST important?
Correct answer: A - Arrange continued observation for recurrent respiratory depression
A patient maintained on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder is admitted with a fractured femur and reports severe pain. Which prescribed analgesic order should the nurse question?
Correct answer: C - Nalbuphine
A patient with a long history of heavy daily alcohol use is admitted with a blood glucose of 48 mg/dL. Orders include intravenous dextrose 50% and intravenous thiamine. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct answer: B - Administer thiamine before or together with the dextrose
A patient tells the nurse, "My wife thinks I drink too much, but I handle it just fine and I really don't see a problem here." Which nursing intervention is MOST appropriate at this time?
Correct answer: C - Ask permission to share information about how alcohol affects health
A patient who is 22 weeks pregnant and stable on methadone asks to be tapered off the medication before delivery so that her baby will not go through withdrawal. Which response is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: D - Continuing methadone is recommended; tapering increases return-to-use risk
The spouse of a patient receiving treatment for sedative use disorder telephones the program and asks whether the patient is still enrolled. The spouse correctly provides the patient's date of birth and home address. No release of information has been signed. What should the nurse do?
Correct answer: B - Decline to confirm or deny the patient's presence
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