Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What effect should a nurse inform a client about when they occasionally smoke cocaine?

1. Increased focus

2. Euphoria

3. Hallucinations

4. Depression

The correct answer is: Euphoria

The primary effect of cocaine use is euphoria, which refers to an intense feeling of happiness or excitement. This is due to cocaine's impact on the brain's reward pathways, where it enhances the levels of certain neurotransmitters, notably dopamine. When a client occasionally smokes cocaine, they are likely to experience a significant surge in energy, confidence, and pleasure. This euphoric feeling can be immediate and intense, making the substance particularly reinforcing, which can contribute to the risk of dependency or repeated use. While increased focus may occur in some cases, it's not the most reliable or defining effect associated with cocaine use; rather, this stimulant may lead to heightened arousal and activity but can also result in decreased attention over time. Hallucinations can occur but are not common with occasional use; they are more associated with higher doses or prolonged use, and are thus less relevant for someone who only uses occasionally. Depression is typically a longer-term effect that may occur as a part of the withdrawal process, rather than an immediate effect of use.