Chapter 15: Drugs Used for Anxiety DisordersClayton/Willihnganz: Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 17th Edition

1. What is the recommended time over which antianxiety medications must be gradually tapered before discontinuation? a. 1 week b. 1 month c. 6 months d. 1 year ANS: B Withdrawal from medication should be done under a health care provider’s supervision. Withdrawal usually takes 4 weeks and requires a gradual reduction in dosage and greater intervals between medication administrations. One week is an inadequate interval for cessation of antianxiety medication therapy. Six months to 1 year is much longer than necessary for cessation of antianxiety medication therapy. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 223 OBJ: 5 TOP: Nursing Process Step: Planning MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Psychosocial Integrity NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Patient Education; Safety 2. Which is a benzodiazepine of choice when treating anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal? a. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) b. Oxazepam (Serax) c. Diazepam (Valium) d. Clorazepate (Tranxene) ANS: B Oxazepam and lorazepam are the drugs of choice in treating anxiety disorders because they have no active metabolites. Chlordiazepoxide and clorazepate are not the drugs of choice when treating anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. Diazepam has not been studied as fully as oxazepam in treating patients who have hepatic function impairment. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 223 OBJ: 1 TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Psychosocial Integrity NOT: CONCEP