Question 1

A patient has taken diazepam for 1 week for back spasms. The patient reports "feeling sleepy all the time." Which response will best address the patient's concern?

Accepted Answer

A)  "The dosage probably needs to be decreased." 
B)  "Drowsiness indicates a paradoxical reaction to the drug." 
C)  "Tolerance to the sedative effect of the drug will develop quickly." 
D)  "Sleepiness is an unavoidable side effect of nonbenzodiazepine drugs." 
A)  "The dosage probably needs to be decreased." 
B)  "Drowsiness indicates a paradoxical reaction to the drug." 
C)  "Tolerance to the sedative effect of the drug will develop quickly." 
D)  "Sleepiness is an unavoidable side effect of nonbenzodiazepine drugs."

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with social phobia begins propranolol. The nurse should teach the patient to expect what reaction to this therapy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sympathetic nervous system symptoms of anxiety will be reduced. 
B)  A sense of euphoria for 30 minutes after taking the drug. 
C)  Experience amnesia for the social situations that are most intimidating. 
D)  Feeling a little drowsy but having no orthostatic hypotension. 
A)  Sympathetic nervous system symptoms of anxiety will be reduced. 
B)  A sense of euphoria for 30 minutes after taking the drug. 
C)  Experience amnesia for the social situations that are most intimidating. 
D)  Feeling a little drowsy but having no orthostatic hypotension.

Question 3

A patient diagnosed with agoraphobia took alprazolam 0.5 mg three times daily for 3 months and then discontinued it. The next day the patient called the nurse reporting insomnia, shakiness, and sweating. What should be the focus of the nurse's assessment questions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Whether the patient may have also been drinking alcohol or taking antihistamines. 
B)  The possibility that the patient has built up tolerance to alprazolam and needs an increased dose. 
C)  The likelihood that the patient is having withdrawal symptoms from abrupt discontinuation of the drug. 
D)  Whether the patient has progressed to panic attacks and needs a nonbenzodiazepine medication. 
A)  Whether the patient may have also been drinking alcohol or taking antihistamines. 
B)  The possibility that the patient has built up tolerance to alprazolam and needs an increased dose. 
C)  The likelihood that the patient is having withdrawal symptoms from abrupt discontinuation of the drug. 
D)  Whether the patient has progressed to panic attacks and needs a nonbenzodiazepine medication.

Question 4

A patient who has been taking a benzodiazepine for panic attacks is to be started on buspirone. Which instruction should the nurse provide?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Take decreasing doses of the benzodiazepine for several days until the buspirone becomes effective." 
B)  "Stop taking the benzodiazepines immediately. Wait 2 days, and then start the buspirone." 
C)  "You should take buspirone only once a day. More frequent dosing can cause dependency." 
D)  "Tolerance to buspirone may develop in about a month, requiring larger doses to be prescribed." 
A)  "Take decreasing doses of the benzodiazepine for several days until the buspirone becomes effective." 
B)  "Stop taking the benzodiazepines immediately. Wait 2 days, and then start the buspirone." 
C)  "You should take buspirone only once a day. More frequent dosing can cause dependency." 
D)  "Tolerance to buspirone may develop in about a month, requiring larger doses to be prescribed."

Question 5

A patient states, "I have the same thoughts over and over. I feel compelled to count all my footsteps." The nurse can expect the health care provider to prescribe what medication?

Accepted Answer

A)  Alprazolam 
B)  Propranolol 
C)  Clonazepam 
D)  Clomipramine 
A)  Alprazolam 
B)  Propranolol 
C)  Clonazepam 
D)  Clomipramine

Exam 17: Antianxiety Drugs

A patient has taken diazepam for 1 week for back spasms. The patient reports "feeling sleepy all the time." Which response will best address the patient's concern?

A patient diagnosed with social phobia begins propranolol. The nurse should teach the patient to expect what reaction to this therapy?

A patient diagnosed with agoraphobia took alprazolam 0.5 mg three times daily for 3 months and then discontinued it. The next day the patient called the nurse reporting insomnia, shakiness, and sweating. What should be the focus of the nurse's assessment questions?

A patient who has been taking a benzodiazepine for panic attacks is to be started on buspirone. Which instruction should the nurse provide?

A patient states, "I have the same thoughts over and over. I feel compelled to count all my footsteps." The nurse can expect the health care provider to prescribe what medication?

Med, Meds, Milieu

Historical Issues

Legal Issues

Psychobiologic Bases of Behavior

Cultural Issues

Spiritual Issues

Models for Working With Psychiatric Patients

Learning to Communicate Professionally

Working With an Individual Patient

Working With Groups of Patients

Working With the Family

Introduction to Psychotropic Drugs

Antiparkinsonian Drugs

Antipsychotic Drugs

Antidepressant Drugs

Antimanic Drugs

Antidementia Drugs

Over-The-Counter Drugs

Introduction to Milieu Management

Variables Affecting the Therapeutic Environment: Violence and Suicide

Therapeutic Environment in Various Treatment Settings

Introduction to Psychopathology

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Depressive Disorders

Bipolar Disorders

Anxiety-Related, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma- and Stressor-Related, Somatic, and Dissociative Disorders

Cognitive Disorders

Personality Disorders

Sexual Disorders

Substance Abuse Disorders

Eating Disorders

Survivors of Violence and Trauma

Children and Adolescents

Older Adults

Soldiers and Veterans

Filters