Antianxiety Medications Overview

Questions and Answers

A client rates anxiety at 8 out of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, is restless, and has narrowed perceptions. Which of the following medications would appropriately be prescribed to address these symptoms? Select all that apply.

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) (correct)

Lithium carbonate (lithium)

Oxazepam (Serax) (correct)

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Clonazepam (Klonopin) (correct)

A client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder is placed on clonazepam (Klonopin) and buspirone (BuSpar). Which client statement indicates teaching has been effective?

The client verbalizes that clonazepam (Klonopin) is to be used for long-term therapy in conjunction with buspirone (BuSpar).

The client verbalizes that buspirone (BuSpar) can cause sedation and should be taken at night.

The client verbalizes that clonazepam (Klonopin) is to be used short-term until the buspirone (BuSpar) takes full effect. (correct)

The client verbalizes that tolerance can result with long-term use of buspirone (BuSpar).

In which situation would benzodiazepines be prescribed appropriately?

Short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. (correct)

Long-term treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Long-term treatment of panic disorder.

Short-term treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

A client recently diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed clonazepam (Klonopin), buspirone (BuSpar), and citalopram (Celexa). Which assessment related to the concurrent use of these medications is most important?

<p>Monitor for changes in mental status, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and tremor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms are seen when a client abruptly stops taking diazepam (Valium)? Select all that apply.

<p>Tremor</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antianxiety Medications Overview

Benzodiazepines play a key role in treating anxiety by helping to alleviate symptoms effectively.

Medications for Anxiety Symptoms

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and Oxazepam (Serax) are all classified as benzodiazepines and indicated for managing significant anxiety symptoms.
Lithium carbonate (lithium) and Clozapine (Clozaril) are not appropriate for anxiety treatment.

Clonazepam and Buspirone in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Clonazepam is intended for short-term use, while waiting for the longer-acting buspirone (BuSpar) to take full effect, which may require 4 to 6 weeks.
Buspirone is not typically associated with sedation and is not recommended for nighttime use due to these properties.

Appropriate Uses of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are best suited for short-term management of conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and during alcohol withdrawal or preoperative sedation.
They are not recommended for long-term treatment of conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder.

Monitoring for Medication Interactions

Close monitoring for serotonin syndrome is crucial when using clonazepam, buspirone, and citalopram (Celexa) together, as symptoms may include changes in mental status, tachycardia, and tremors.

Withdrawal Symptoms from Diazepam

Common symptoms of abrupt cessation from diazepam (Valium) include insomnia, tremors, and delirium.
Additional symptoms that may occur but are less commonly indicated include dry mouth and lethargy.

Description

This quiz provides an in-depth overview of antianxiety medications, focusing on benzodiazepines and their appropriate uses in treating anxiety. Explore the roles of medications like clonazepam and buspirone, and understand their applications and limitations in generalized anxiety disorder. Test your knowledge on which medications are effective and which are not recommended.