Substance Use Disorder Continuity Care Practice Test

A primary care clinic is conducting a review of its patient panel. It identifies 50 patients who are prescribed long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain. Of these, 15 are also receiving a concurrent prescription for a benzodiazepine, often from a different prescriber. The clinic aims to implement the single most effective intervention to reduce the risk of fatal overdose in this high-risk group.

A 74-year-old man with a remote history of alcohol use disorder (abstinent for 10 years) is admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. On hospital day 3, he becomes acutely confused, agitated, and tremulous. His heart rate is 120/min, and blood pressure is 165/95 mm Hg. He is afebrile. His daughter reports that although he has not had a drink in years, he has been taking an over-the-counter 'herbal nerve tonic' containing valerian root nightly for sleep.