ANCB-CARN Exam Information and Guideline
ANCB Certified Addictions Registered Nurse
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
Type of Exam: Computer-based test (CBT).
Number of Questions: 175 multiple-choice questions.
- 150 scored questions
- 25 unscored pretest questions (used for future exam development).
Time Allotted: 3 hours (180 minutes).
Question Types: Multiple-choice questions with four answer options (only one correct answer).
1. Foundations of Addiction Nursing 15%
2. Pharmacology of Addictive Substances 15%
3. Assessment and Diagnosis 20%
4. Treatment Modalities and Interventions 20%
5. Special Populations 15%
6. Legal and Ethical Issues 15%
- Foundations of Addiction Nursing
- Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- Addiction
- Dependence
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Relapse
- Recovery
- Harm Reduction
- Stigma
- Historical perspectives on addiction
- Neurobiology of addiction
- brain reward system
- neurotransmitters like dopamine
- serotonin
- GABA
- Psychological and social factors contributing to addiction
- Ethical and legal considerations in addiction nursing
- Scope and standards of addiction nursing practice
- Pharmacology of Addictive Substances
- Opioids
- Stimulants
- Depressants
- Hallucinogens
- Cannabinoids
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Mechanisms of action of addictive substances
- Effects of substances on the body and brain
- Common drug interactions
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- methadone
- buprenorphine
- naltrexone
- Overdose prevention and management (e.g., naloxone administration)
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
- Screening tools
- AUDIT
- DAST
- CAGE
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis)
- Comprehensive patient assessment
- Identifying signs and symptoms of substance use disorders
- Differentiating between intoxication, withdrawal, and overdose
- Assessing for co-occurring mental health disorders
- Cultural competence in assessment
- Treatment Modalities and Interventions
- Detoxification
- Withdrawal management
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- 12-Step Programs (e.g., AA, NA)
- Relapse prevention
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Evidence-based treatment approaches
- Individual and group therapy techniques
- Role of the nurse in interdisciplinary teams
- Patient education and counseling
- Continuum of care (inpatient, outpatient, aftercare)
- Special Populations
- Adolescents
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- Veterans
- LGBTQ+ populations
- Homeless individuals
- Unique challenges and needs of special populations
- Tailoring interventions for diverse groups
- Addressing barriers to treatment
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Confidentiality (HIPAA)
- Informed consent
- Mandatory reporting
- Duty to warn
- Ethical dilemmas
- Legal frameworks governing addiction treatment
- Ethical principles in addiction nursing
- autonomy
- beneficence
- nonmaleficence
- justice
- Handling ethical conflicts in patient care
- Documentation and reporting requirements
- Prevention and Education
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention
- Health promotion
- Risk reduction
- Public health initiatives
- Strategies for preventing substance use disorders
- Community education and outreach
- Role of the nurse in public health campaigns
- Educating patients and families about addiction and recovery
- Professional Role and Practice
- Scope of practice
- Advocacy
- Leadership
- Interprofessional collaboration
- Role of the addiction nurse in various settings
- hospitals
- clinics
- community programs
- Advocating for patients and reducing stigma
- Leadership and mentorship in addiction nursing
- Continuing education and professional development
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Dual diagnosis
- Mental health disorders
- depression
- anxiety
- PTSD
- Integrated treatment
- Understanding the relationship between addiction and mental health
- Strategies for managing co-occurring disorders
- Collaborative care models
- Relapse and Recovery
- Relapse triggers
- Recovery capital
- Aftercare planning
- Peer support
- Identifying and managing relapse triggers
- Supporting patients in long-term recovery
- Developing individualized aftercare plans
- Role of family and community in recovery
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Evidence-based practice (EBP)
- Clinical guidelines
- Research methodologies
- Applying research findings to clinical practice
- Staying updated with current trends and guidelines in addiction treatment
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
- Crisis Intervention and Emergency Care
- Overdose
- Withdrawal syndromes
- Psychiatric emergencies
- Recognizing and managing acute withdrawal symptoms
- Responding to overdose emergencies
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Suicide risk assessment and prevention
- Health Promotion and Wellness
- Holistic care
- Self-care
- Wellness planning
- Promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness in patients
- Encouraging healthy lifestyle changes
- Addressing the impact of addiction on overall health
- Documentation and Communication
- SOAP notes
- Electronic health records (EHR)
- Therapeutic communication
- Accurate and thorough documentation
- Effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism