ADN Pharm. Unit 4 Verified Exam Questions and Answers Latest
update 2026/2027
Question:
Benzodiazepines MOA
Answer:
Enhance the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the CNS. Used short term
because of addiction risk.
Question:
Benzodiazepines Uses Anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, seizures, and muscle spasms
Answer:
Question:
Examples of Benzodiazepines
Answer:
alprazolam (Xanax) lorazepam (Ativan) diazepam (Valium) chlordiazepoxide (Librium) clonazepam
(Klonopin)
Question:
Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
Answer:
CNS depression (Sedation, light-headedness, ataxia, decreased cognitive function) Anterograde
amnesia (difficulty recalling events after dosing) Acute toxicity (drowsiness, confusion, lethargy)
Paradoxical response (insomnia, excitation, anxiety, euphoria, rage) Withdrawal symptoms (anxiety,
insomnia, tremors, diaphoresis, hypertension, seizures)
Question:
Benzodiazepines contraindications
Answer:
Sleep apnea Respiratory depression Narrow-angle glaucoma Pregnancy Liver Disease
Question:
Patient Education for Benzodiazepines
Answer:
Hx of Substance Use Disorder Take a bedtime Take only dose prescribed Store in a safe place
,Question:
Antidote for benzodiazepines Flumazenil (Romazicon)
Answer:
Do not drive while taking these medications
Question:
Atypical anxiolytic Buspirone (Buspar)
Answer:
Question:
Buspirone MOA
Answer:
Binds to serotonin and dopamine receptors. Does not depress the CNS. Uses panic disorder, social
anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, and GAD.
Question:
Side effects of Buspirone
Answer:
Dizziness Nausea Headache Light-headedness Agitation
Question:
Patient Education for Buspirone
Answer:
Take scheduled daily with food. Takes 2-4 weeks for full benefit. Avoid activities that require
alertness until the effects are known. Increase fiber and fluid. Monitor and report suicidal ideation.
Question:
Barbiturates MOA Increase the DURATION of GABA-mediated chloride ion channels
Answer:
Avoid use in pts with liver or kidney problems. Avoid taking St Johns Wart, antimicrobials, and
grapefruit juice.
Question:
Barbiturates uses
Answer:
Sedation Anticonvulsants General anesthetics
, Question:
Examples of Barbiturates
Answer:
phenobarbital pentobarbital secobarbital
Question:
Side effects of Barbiturates
Answer:
1. Hangover effect: feel lethargic and odd after taking
2. Paradoxical restlessness
3. Rebound effect: drug is no longer effective
4. Respiratory depression
5. Tolerance and dependence (schedule II)
Question:
Zolpidem (Ambien) Sedative/Hypnotic
Answer:
Question:
Side effects of zolpidem daytime sedation, confusion, dizziness, amnesia, hallucinations, sleepwalking
Answer:
Question:
Patient Education for Zolpidem
Answer:
Take at bedtime on an empty stomach. Don't use with any other CNS depressants. Can cause suicidal
ideation. Use caution in pt with impaired kidney, liver, and respiration disfunction.
Question:
SSRI MOA Block reuptake of serotonin.
Answer:
Pregnancy Category Risk C fluoxetine (Prozac)
Question:
Examples of SSRIs
Answer:
sertraline (Zoloft) paroxetine (Paxil) fluvoxamine (Luvox) citalopram escitalopram
update 2026/2027
Question:
Benzodiazepines MOA
Answer:
Enhance the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the CNS. Used short term
because of addiction risk.
Question:
Benzodiazepines Uses Anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, seizures, and muscle spasms
Answer:
Question:
Examples of Benzodiazepines
Answer:
alprazolam (Xanax) lorazepam (Ativan) diazepam (Valium) chlordiazepoxide (Librium) clonazepam
(Klonopin)
Question:
Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
Answer:
CNS depression (Sedation, light-headedness, ataxia, decreased cognitive function) Anterograde
amnesia (difficulty recalling events after dosing) Acute toxicity (drowsiness, confusion, lethargy)
Paradoxical response (insomnia, excitation, anxiety, euphoria, rage) Withdrawal symptoms (anxiety,
insomnia, tremors, diaphoresis, hypertension, seizures)
Question:
Benzodiazepines contraindications
Answer:
Sleep apnea Respiratory depression Narrow-angle glaucoma Pregnancy Liver Disease
Question:
Patient Education for Benzodiazepines
Answer:
Hx of Substance Use Disorder Take a bedtime Take only dose prescribed Store in a safe place
,Question:
Antidote for benzodiazepines Flumazenil (Romazicon)
Answer:
Do not drive while taking these medications
Question:
Atypical anxiolytic Buspirone (Buspar)
Answer:
Question:
Buspirone MOA
Answer:
Binds to serotonin and dopamine receptors. Does not depress the CNS. Uses panic disorder, social
anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, and GAD.
Question:
Side effects of Buspirone
Answer:
Dizziness Nausea Headache Light-headedness Agitation
Question:
Patient Education for Buspirone
Answer:
Take scheduled daily with food. Takes 2-4 weeks for full benefit. Avoid activities that require
alertness until the effects are known. Increase fiber and fluid. Monitor and report suicidal ideation.
Question:
Barbiturates MOA Increase the DURATION of GABA-mediated chloride ion channels
Answer:
Avoid use in pts with liver or kidney problems. Avoid taking St Johns Wart, antimicrobials, and
grapefruit juice.
Question:
Barbiturates uses
Answer:
Sedation Anticonvulsants General anesthetics
, Question:
Examples of Barbiturates
Answer:
phenobarbital pentobarbital secobarbital
Question:
Side effects of Barbiturates
Answer:
1. Hangover effect: feel lethargic and odd after taking
2. Paradoxical restlessness
3. Rebound effect: drug is no longer effective
4. Respiratory depression
5. Tolerance and dependence (schedule II)
Question:
Zolpidem (Ambien) Sedative/Hypnotic
Answer:
Question:
Side effects of zolpidem daytime sedation, confusion, dizziness, amnesia, hallucinations, sleepwalking
Answer:
Question:
Patient Education for Zolpidem
Answer:
Take at bedtime on an empty stomach. Don't use with any other CNS depressants. Can cause suicidal
ideation. Use caution in pt with impaired kidney, liver, and respiration disfunction.
Question:
SSRI MOA Block reuptake of serotonin.
Answer:
Pregnancy Category Risk C fluoxetine (Prozac)
Question:
Examples of SSRIs
Answer:
sertraline (Zoloft) paroxetine (Paxil) fluvoxamine (Luvox) citalopram escitalopram