Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Substance Use Disorders Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Substance Use Disorders related questions and content

Which is the best nursing intervention to prevent a potential depressant action of methadone caused by mixing with another drug?

  • A. Urine testing
  • B. Provide only liquid form of methadone.
  • C. Interview client prior to dosing.
  • D. Assess vital signs.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The practice of testing the urine before providing methadone is one way of screening and eliminating those who are abusing the system and trying to potentiate the effects of the methadone by combining with another depressant. The methadone should be administered by a professional and supplied in a liquid form to avoid cheeking of the drug. Addictive clients are drug-seeking in nature and cannot be trusted to always be honest with drug use questioning and answers. Vital sign monitoring is not significant in the detection of alternate drug use.