A nurse is providing teaching to a client with opioid use disorder who is prescribed naltrexone. Which client statement demonstrates an accurate understanding of how naltrexone works?

"This medication blocks opioid receptors so opioids cannot produce a euphoric effect."

"This medication increases serotonin levels to improve mood and decrease drug use."

"This medication replaces opioids in my body to prevent cravings."

"This medication reduces withdrawal symptoms by partially activating opioid receptors."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. "This medication blocks opioid receptors so opioids cannot produce a euphoric effect.": Naltrexone is a competitive opioid antagonist that binds to mu-opioid receptors without activating them. By occupying these receptors, it prevents exogenous opioids from producing euphoric or reinforcing effects, helping to reduce the risk of relapse in individuals with opioid use disorder.

B. "This medication increases serotonin levels to improve mood and decrease drug use.": Medications that increase serotonin, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), target depression and anxiety, not opioid receptor activity. Naltrexone’s mechanism does not involve modulation of serotonin or other monoamine neurotransmitters.

C. "This medication replaces opioids in my body to prevent cravings.": Medications like methadone or buprenorphine act as opioid agonists or partial agonists to prevent withdrawal and cravings. Naltrexone does not replace opioids or provide agonist activity; it strictly blocks receptor activation.

D. "This medication reduces withdrawal symptoms by partially activating opioid receptors.": Partial agonists such as buprenorphine can reduce withdrawal symptoms by providing low-level receptor stimulation. Naltrexone, however, is a pure antagonist and does not activate receptors, so it does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms and should only be started after detoxification.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. “You may become addicted to the medication and need it to feel normal.": Addiction involves compulsive drug-seeking behavior and psychological dependence, which is distinct from physiological tolerance. Tolerance refers specifically to reduced pharmacologic effect over time, not the development of a psychological need for the drug.

B. "You will not experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication suddenly.": Withdrawal symptoms occur when the body has adapted to long-term opioid exposure and the drug is abruptly discontinued. This reflects physical dependence, not tolerance. Educating about withdrawal is important, but it is separate from explaining tolerance.

C. "You may need higher doses of the medication over time to achieve the same level of pain relief.": Tolerance occurs when repeated exposure to a drug reduces its pharmacologic effect, requiring progressively higher doses to achieve the original therapeutic outcome. This is a normal physiological adaptation to prolonged opioid therapy.

D. "You will no longer get any therapeutic effects from this drug.": Tolerance does not typically eliminate all therapeutic effects; it reduces responsiveness, meaning higher doses may be needed to maintain efficacy. Complete loss of effect is not a defining feature of drug tolerance.

A. Verify the dose based on the client's age, weight, and organ function. B. Administering the medication at the prescribed time to maintain therapeutic drug levels. C. Ignoring drug interactions if the client reports no side effects. D. Recommending herbal supplements to enhance medication effectiveness. E. Educating the client about how food or other medications can affect absorption. F. Monitoring the client's liver and kidney function before administering medications.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","E","F"]

Explanation

A. Verify the dose based on the client's age, weight, and organ function: Pharmacokinetics involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Age, body weight, and hepatic or renal function directly affect drug metabolism and elimination. Verifying appropriate dosing helps prevent toxicity or subtherapeutic effects.

B. Administering the medication at the prescribed time to maintain therapeutic drug levels: Maintaining consistent serum drug levels supports steady state and therapeutic effectiveness. Proper timing reflects understanding of half-life and dosing intervals.

C. Ignoring drug interactions if the client reports no side effects: This is incorrect. Drug interactions can alter metabolism or excretion and may not immediately produce noticeable side effects. Nurses must always assess for potential interactions.

D. Recommending herbal supplements to enhance medication effectiveness: This is inappropriate. Herbal supplements can significantly alter drug absorption or metabolism and should not be recommended without provider oversight.

E. Educating the client about how food or other medications can affect absorption: Food and concurrent medications can alter absorption rates and bioavailability. Client education supports safe and effective medication therapy.

F. Monitoring the client's liver and kidney function before administering medications: The liver and kidneys are primary organs for drug metabolism and excretion. Monitoring their function helps guide safe dosing and prevent accumulation or toxicity.

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A nurse is providing teaching to a client with opioid use disorder who is prescribed naltrexone. Which client statement demonstrates an accurate understanding of how naltrexone works?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is receiving opioid therapy for pain management. The nurse is educating the client about the effects of long-term opioid use. Which statement by the nurse best explains the concept of drug tolerance?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which actions by the nurse demonstrate an understanding of pharmacokinetics and the nurse's role in medication therapy? (Select All that Apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","E","F"]

Explanation

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