Chapter 28 drug therapy for insomnia 2025 update|comprehensive questions and verified
answers (complete solutions) exam|grade a+!!
Which drug for insomnia can cause amnesia?
a. Amitriptyline (Elavil)
b. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
c. Temazepam (Restoril)
d. Trazodone (Desyrel) - -ANS: C
Temazepam is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that works by causing a general
depression of the central nervous system, including the areas that process new or
immediate information. As a result, the patient may have amnesia for events that occur
while he or she is under the influence of this drug.
--Which problems are the two most common side effects of drugs for insomnia?
a. Increased bleeding and reduced sense of taste
b. Inability to fall asleep and stay asleep
c. Dry mouth and drowsiness
d. Hiccoughs and diarrhea - -ANS: C
The drugs for insomnia are sedating and do not cause insomnia. They do not interfere with
blood clotting or the sense of taste. The most common side effects for drugs that induce
sleep are dry mouth and drowsiness. Although hiccoughs and diarrhea may occur, these are
rare.
--In which drug category for insomnia does zaleplon (Sonata) belong?
a. Antihistamines
b. Benzodiazepines
c. Sedating antidepressants
d. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists - -ANS: D
, Zaleplon induces sleep by binding to benzodiazepine receptors and enhancing (stimulating)
the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Therefore this drug
belongs to the benzodiazepine receptor agonist class.
--Which drug can increase the risk for seizures in a patient who has epilepsy?
a. Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
b. Romazicon (Flumazenil)
c. Secobarbital (Seconal)
d. Triazolam (Halcion) - -ANS: B
Pentobarbital and secobarbital are barbiturates that can raise the seizure threshold and
prevent seizures. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine that can reduce seizures. Romazicon is a
reversal agent for a benzodiazepine overdose and can lower the seizure threshold in an
individual who has epilepsy.
--Which class of drugs used to treat insomnia has the lowest likelihood to be habit forming
or addictive?
a. Barbiturates
b. Benzodiazepines
c. Sedating antidepressants
d. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists - -ANS: D
Although all drugs used to treat insomnia have the potential to be abused, addictive, or
habit-forming, the class with the lowest likelihood for these problems is the benzodiazepine
receptor agonists. This is the main reason why they are the first-line drugs to treat insomnia.
--What is the most important precaution to teach a patient who is prescribed a drug for
insomnia?
a. "Avoid drinking fluids with caffeine before bedtime."
b. "Rinse your mouth frequently with water or saline."
c. "Avoid driving within 8 hours of taking this drug."
answers (complete solutions) exam|grade a+!!
Which drug for insomnia can cause amnesia?
a. Amitriptyline (Elavil)
b. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
c. Temazepam (Restoril)
d. Trazodone (Desyrel) - -ANS: C
Temazepam is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that works by causing a general
depression of the central nervous system, including the areas that process new or
immediate information. As a result, the patient may have amnesia for events that occur
while he or she is under the influence of this drug.
--Which problems are the two most common side effects of drugs for insomnia?
a. Increased bleeding and reduced sense of taste
b. Inability to fall asleep and stay asleep
c. Dry mouth and drowsiness
d. Hiccoughs and diarrhea - -ANS: C
The drugs for insomnia are sedating and do not cause insomnia. They do not interfere with
blood clotting or the sense of taste. The most common side effects for drugs that induce
sleep are dry mouth and drowsiness. Although hiccoughs and diarrhea may occur, these are
rare.
--In which drug category for insomnia does zaleplon (Sonata) belong?
a. Antihistamines
b. Benzodiazepines
c. Sedating antidepressants
d. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists - -ANS: D
, Zaleplon induces sleep by binding to benzodiazepine receptors and enhancing (stimulating)
the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Therefore this drug
belongs to the benzodiazepine receptor agonist class.
--Which drug can increase the risk for seizures in a patient who has epilepsy?
a. Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
b. Romazicon (Flumazenil)
c. Secobarbital (Seconal)
d. Triazolam (Halcion) - -ANS: B
Pentobarbital and secobarbital are barbiturates that can raise the seizure threshold and
prevent seizures. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine that can reduce seizures. Romazicon is a
reversal agent for a benzodiazepine overdose and can lower the seizure threshold in an
individual who has epilepsy.
--Which class of drugs used to treat insomnia has the lowest likelihood to be habit forming
or addictive?
a. Barbiturates
b. Benzodiazepines
c. Sedating antidepressants
d. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists - -ANS: D
Although all drugs used to treat insomnia have the potential to be abused, addictive, or
habit-forming, the class with the lowest likelihood for these problems is the benzodiazepine
receptor agonists. This is the main reason why they are the first-line drugs to treat insomnia.
--What is the most important precaution to teach a patient who is prescribed a drug for
insomnia?
a. "Avoid drinking fluids with caffeine before bedtime."
b. "Rinse your mouth frequently with water or saline."
c. "Avoid driving within 8 hours of taking this drug."
