pathophysiology (NURS231) final exam prep|
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What are the adverse effects of taking benzodiazepines? - ✔- ataxia (balance, coordination
and speech disturbances)
- confusion, amnesia
- fatigue/lethargy/drowsiness
- lightheadedness, dizziness, vertigo
- headaches
- feeling "hungover", dry mouth, and GI upset
- visual disturbances
- restlessness and/or irritability.
What are some nursing considerations to help with the adverse drug reactions of
benzodiazepines? - ✔Dizziness/vertigo: have patient rise slowly, avoid driving
heavy machinery, and take drug in the evening
GI upset: take meds with food, regular water and fibre intake, and exercise
,What happens if a person overdoses on benzodiazepines? - ✔Luckily, the worst that can
happen is coma. This is why benzo's are preferred to barbiturates because they have lower
toxicities and risks associated with an overdose.
What is flumazenil? - ✔Benzodiazepine antagonist; an antidote to reverse sedative effects
in the case of an OD
What are drug interactions for benzodiazepines? - ✔Do not take with other CNS depressants to
avoid risking respiratory depression, hypotension, toxicities, sedation and confusion.
Which natural health products should be avoided with benzodiazepines? - ✔Kava, valerian
and grapefruit
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. buspirone (Buspar)
b. hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
c. phenobarbital
d. lorazepam (Ativan) - ✔d. lorazepam is a
benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-
zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is a benzodiazepine?:
a. zoplicone (Rhovane)
b. zolpidem tartrate (Ambien)
c. diazepam (Valium)
d. flumazenil - ✔c. diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines have "-zepam" or "-zolam" suffixes!!
Which of the following is NOT a benzodiazepine?:
,a. alprazolam (Xanax)
b. clonazepam (Klonopin)
c. chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
d. cyclobenzaprine - ✔d.
cyclobenzaprine cyclobenzaprine is a
muscle relaxant.
alprazolam, clonazepam, and chlordiazepoxide are all benzodiazepines
Which of the following is a long-acting and an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine?
lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) - ✔diazepam is a long acting benzo (PO
duration is 12-24 hours)
lorazepam is an intermediate-acting benzo (PO 8 hour duration)
Why are benzodiazepines NOT first-line treatments for long-term anxiety conditions? - ✔they
have a risk of causing dependence, and they lead to tolerance (requiring increasingly larger doses
to achieve the desired outcome over time)
zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) and zoplicone (Rhovane) are examples of what? -
✔non-benzodiazepines
What is a nursing consideration for zoplicone (Rhovan)? - ✔Used to treat insomnia, but should
NOT be used longer than 7-10 days due to risk of toxicity
Which of the following is NOT a non-benzodiazepine?:
a. buspirone (Buspar)
b. zoplicone (Rhovan)
c. zolpidem tartrate (Ambien)
d. chlordiazepoxide (Librium) - ✔d. chloradiazepoxide (Librium) is a benzodiazepine.
buspirone, zoplicone and zolpidem tartrate are all non-benzodiazepines.
, What was the first hypnotic/sedative to be used, but which is no longer first line treatment? -
✔barbiturates
Why are barbiturates rarely used? - ✔they have a small therapeutic index, have high risk of
toxicities, have multiple adverse effects, and can interfere with other prescription drugs
(causing either increased metabolism of other drugs that reduces their effectiveness, or
decreased metabolism of other drugs that increases drug serum levels and toxicity)
What is the mechanism of action for barbiturates? - ✔works in the reticular formation of
the brain by decreasing nerve impulses that reach the cortex
What are the indications for barbiturates? - ✔Sedatives
Anticonvulsants
Anesthesia for surgical procedures
What are the contraindications of barbiturates? - ✔kidney or liver disease, respiratory
issues, pregnancy, known drug allergy, concurrent use with other CNS depressants
What are some side effects of barbiturates? - ✔lethargy, dizziness, "hangover" feeling,
long-term negative impacts on the sleep cycle, and restlessness
What are the negative outcomes of an overdose on barbiturates? - ✔respiratory
depression, coma, and/or death
How would you treat an overdose of barbiturates? - ✔activated charcoal, O2 ventilation,
maintain airways and give diuretics to increase excretion of the drug
What are drug interactions of barbiturates? - ✔-antihistamines
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