,Geneva College NURS 251 Module 10 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which anxiety disorder medication binds to serotonin and dopamine
receptors, has a delayed onset of 1-2 weeks, and does not cause physical
dependence?
A) Alprazolam
B) Diazepam
C) Buspirone
D) Lorazepam
Correct Answer: Buspirone
Rationale: Buspirone is an atypical anxiolytic that acts as a partial agonist at
serotonin (5-HT1A) and dopamine receptors, taking 1-2 weeks to become
fully effective. It lacks the sedation, abuse potential, and withdrawal risks of
benzodiazepines, making it first-line for generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Which teaching point is most important for a patient starting buspirone?
A) “Take this medication only when you feel anxious.”
B) “You must take it on a scheduled basis, even when you feel well.”
C) “It works immediately to relieve panic attacks.”
D) “Avoid all tyramine-containing foods while taking buspirone.”
Correct Answer: “You must take it on a scheduled basis, even when you feel
well.”
Rationale: Buspirone requires consistent daily dosing to achieve steady-state
plasma levels; its anti-anxiety effect builds over 1-2 weeks. It is not a rescue
medication for panic, and tyramine restriction applies to MAOIs, not
buspirone.
,3. A patient taking buspirone asks if it is safe to drink grapefruit juice. What
is the nurse’s best response?
A) “Grapefruit juice is safe and may even enhance the effects of buspirone.”
B) “You should avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase buspirone levels
and toxicity.”
C) “Grapefruit juice only interacts with statins, not with anti-anxiety drugs.”
D) “You need to drink at least 8 ounces of grapefruit juice daily to activate
the medication.”
Correct Answer: “You should avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase
buspirone levels and toxicity.”
Rationale: Grapefruit juice inhibits CYP3A4, the isoenzyme responsible for
buspirone metabolism. Concurrent use can lead to elevated serum buspirone
concentrations, increasing the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.
4. Which statement about the clinical use of benzodiazepines is accurate?
A) They are first-line for long-term management of generalized anxiety
disorder.
B) They have a slow onset of action, taking several weeks to reach full effect.
C) They are considered “as-needed” (PRN) medications and carry a risk of
tolerance and dependence.
D) They are completely devoid of any drug interactions.
Correct Answer: They are considered “as-needed” (PRN) medications and
carry a risk of tolerance and dependence.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are effective for acute anxiety but are generally
prescribed PRN or for short-term use due to the risk of tolerance, physical
, dependence, and withdrawal. They are not first-line for long-term GAD
management.
5. The nurse is administering a benzodiazepine to an elderly patient. Which
nursing consideration is most critical?
A) The patient is at increased risk for falls due to sedation and muscle
relaxation.
B) The medication should be given with a full meal to avoid GI upset.
C) Benzodiazepines are safe for use in any dosage in older adults.
D) The patient will likely experience paradoxical agitation, which is expected.
Correct Answer: The patient is at increased risk for falls due to sedation and
muscle relaxation.
Rationale: Older adults are particularly sensitive to the sedative and
motor-impairing effects of benzodiazepines. Falls, fractures, and cognitive
impairment are major concerns, often requiring lower starting doses and
close monitoring.
6. A patient who has been taking lorazepam daily for 6 months wants to stop
the medication. The nurse should advise which of the following?
A) “You can stop taking it abruptly because it has a short half-life.”
B) “Discontinuing the medication after long-term use requires a gradual dose
reduction to prevent withdrawal.”
C) “You will need to switch to buspirone for one week before stopping.”
D) “Benzodiazepines are not associated with withdrawal symptoms.”
Correct Answer: “Discontinuing the medication after long-term use requires a
gradual dose reduction to prevent withdrawal.”
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which anxiety disorder medication binds to serotonin and dopamine
receptors, has a delayed onset of 1-2 weeks, and does not cause physical
dependence?
A) Alprazolam
B) Diazepam
C) Buspirone
D) Lorazepam
Correct Answer: Buspirone
Rationale: Buspirone is an atypical anxiolytic that acts as a partial agonist at
serotonin (5-HT1A) and dopamine receptors, taking 1-2 weeks to become
fully effective. It lacks the sedation, abuse potential, and withdrawal risks of
benzodiazepines, making it first-line for generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Which teaching point is most important for a patient starting buspirone?
A) “Take this medication only when you feel anxious.”
B) “You must take it on a scheduled basis, even when you feel well.”
C) “It works immediately to relieve panic attacks.”
D) “Avoid all tyramine-containing foods while taking buspirone.”
Correct Answer: “You must take it on a scheduled basis, even when you feel
well.”
Rationale: Buspirone requires consistent daily dosing to achieve steady-state
plasma levels; its anti-anxiety effect builds over 1-2 weeks. It is not a rescue
medication for panic, and tyramine restriction applies to MAOIs, not
buspirone.
,3. A patient taking buspirone asks if it is safe to drink grapefruit juice. What
is the nurse’s best response?
A) “Grapefruit juice is safe and may even enhance the effects of buspirone.”
B) “You should avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase buspirone levels
and toxicity.”
C) “Grapefruit juice only interacts with statins, not with anti-anxiety drugs.”
D) “You need to drink at least 8 ounces of grapefruit juice daily to activate
the medication.”
Correct Answer: “You should avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase
buspirone levels and toxicity.”
Rationale: Grapefruit juice inhibits CYP3A4, the isoenzyme responsible for
buspirone metabolism. Concurrent use can lead to elevated serum buspirone
concentrations, increasing the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.
4. Which statement about the clinical use of benzodiazepines is accurate?
A) They are first-line for long-term management of generalized anxiety
disorder.
B) They have a slow onset of action, taking several weeks to reach full effect.
C) They are considered “as-needed” (PRN) medications and carry a risk of
tolerance and dependence.
D) They are completely devoid of any drug interactions.
Correct Answer: They are considered “as-needed” (PRN) medications and
carry a risk of tolerance and dependence.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are effective for acute anxiety but are generally
prescribed PRN or for short-term use due to the risk of tolerance, physical
, dependence, and withdrawal. They are not first-line for long-term GAD
management.
5. The nurse is administering a benzodiazepine to an elderly patient. Which
nursing consideration is most critical?
A) The patient is at increased risk for falls due to sedation and muscle
relaxation.
B) The medication should be given with a full meal to avoid GI upset.
C) Benzodiazepines are safe for use in any dosage in older adults.
D) The patient will likely experience paradoxical agitation, which is expected.
Correct Answer: The patient is at increased risk for falls due to sedation and
muscle relaxation.
Rationale: Older adults are particularly sensitive to the sedative and
motor-impairing effects of benzodiazepines. Falls, fractures, and cognitive
impairment are major concerns, often requiring lower starting doses and
close monitoring.
6. A patient who has been taking lorazepam daily for 6 months wants to stop
the medication. The nurse should advise which of the following?
A) “You can stop taking it abruptly because it has a short half-life.”
B) “Discontinuing the medication after long-term use requires a gradual dose
reduction to prevent withdrawal.”
C) “You will need to switch to buspirone for one week before stopping.”
D) “Benzodiazepines are not associated with withdrawal symptoms.”
Correct Answer: “Discontinuing the medication after long-term use requires a
gradual dose reduction to prevent withdrawal.”
