American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Assessment Practice Test 2025 - Free ASAM Practice Questions and Study Resource

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can have various effects on the respiratory system. The correct response indicates that acute interstitial pneumonia is not typically associated with cocaine use, unlike the other listed effects.

Pulmonary hypertension, bronchospasm, and hemoptysis have all been documented as potential respiratory complications arising from cocaine use. Cocaine can cause vasoconstriction and subsequently lead to elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, thereby resulting in pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, it has been known to provoke bronchospasm, which is an involuntary contraction of the bronchial muscles, potentially leading to difficulty breathing. Hemoptysis, which is the coughing up of blood, may also occur in cocaine users due to various forms of lung injury or vascular issues.

Acute interstitial pneumonia, however, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the lung interstitium and is not typically linked to cocaine use. While cocaine does have several adverse effects on lung function and health, acute interstitial pneumonia is not one of them, making this the correct choice to identify as not associated with cocaine's impact on the lungs.