Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 73
Nurse Christine is teaching an adolescent health class about the dangers of inhalant abuse; the nurse warns about the possibility of:
A. Contracting an infectious disease, such as hepatitis or AIDS.
B. Recurrent flashback events.
C. Psychological dependence after initial use.
D. Sudden death from cardiac or respiratory depression
Correct Answer: D. Sudden death from cardiac or respiratory depression.
Inhalants are CNS depressants; if taken in an excess amount, they can cause cardiac and respiratory depressions. It is impossible to control the inhalant dosage; therefore, death can occur. Prognosis depends upon follow up and motivational and cognitive behavior therapy. Support like Alcoholics-Anonymous groups play an important role in prognosis. Substance use leads to a number of problems among youth, including accidents, death, health effects, crime, unplanned pregnancy, and lower achievement.
Option A: Substance use and/or substance use disorders (SUDs) are associated with many negative consequences among youth, including accidents, death, health effects, crime, unplanned pregnancy, and lower achievement. Substance use contributes to accidents, death, and a variety of hazardous behaviors. Sexual behaviors are increased during adolescent substance use.
Option B: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a syndrome that results from exposure to real or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual assault. The symptoms of PTSD include persistently re-experiencing the traumatic event, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, dissociation(detachment from oneself or reality), and intense negative emotional (sadness, guilt) and physiological reaction on being exposed to the traumatic reminder.
Option C: As with most behavioral and psychiatric disorders, the interplay between genetic risk, temperamental traits, and the environment may predispose to early use of substances of abuse. Once exposed to substances, brain reward systems reinforce substance use, resulting in repeated use and lower ability to control substance use.