NR 293 PHARM EDAPTS WEEK 6 | COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOLOGY STUDY
GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are drugs that result in a calming effect by _______________
the transmission of nerve impulses to the CNS. - -inhibiting
_______________________________ are the subclass of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that
inhibit nerve impulses by acting on the brainstem and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors,
resulting in the inhibition of nerve impulses in the cerebral cortex. - -Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines carry a black box warning regarding what? - The combined use of benzodiazepines and
opioids can cause extreme central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Choose the correct central nervous system (CNS) depressant based on the degree to which it causes the
inhibition of nerve impulses in the CNS.
_______________ produce a sense of calm and reduce nervousness, excitability, and irritability without
causing sleep unless given at a large enough dose.
_______________ cause sleep with a much more potent CNS effect than __________________.
_________________ can act as either a sedative or a hypnotic depending on the dose and client
responsiveness. In low doses, they calm the CNS without causing sleep. In high doses, they calm the CNS
and cause sleep. - -Sedatives
-Hypnotics, sedatives
-Sedative-Hypnotics
Which of the sedative-hypnotic groups carries the highest risk for dependence and is therefore used
less? - Barbiturates
Barbiturates carry with them many contraindications, the risk of dependence and overdose, as well as
many drug-to-drug interactions.
Drag each statement that applies to barbiturates to the right side column. - -Barbiturates are
contraindicated in pregnancy.
-Barbiturates cause enzyme stimulation in the liver, leading to a shortened duration of action of many
drugs.
-An overdose of barbiturates typically leads to respiratory arrest, coma, and death.
-Long-term use can lead to harmful effects on sleep due to deprivation of rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep.
-Pentobarbital and phenobarbital help treat insomnia, withdrawal symptoms, and control status
epilepticus.
,Which statements are correct regarding benzodiazepines? Select all that apply. - -Affect the
hypothalamic, thalamic, and limbic systems of the brain (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] receptors)
-Induce relaxation of skeletal muscles
-Reduce excessive sensory stimulation which induces sleep
Nonbenzodiazepines act on the central nervous system (CNS)
________________________________________________.
Orexin receptor antagonists (also called hypocretins) act on the CNS
______________________________________________. - -and act very much like benzodiazepines
-and act very much like benzodiazepines
Pentobarbital is a short-acting _____________________ now used for preoperative anxiety and to
produce ______________________, to treat symptoms of withdrawal from other barbiturates and
nonbarbiturates, to control status epilepticus, and to ______________ hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.
Phenobarbital is a long-acting ____________________used to _______________ generalized tonic-
clonic seizures and fever-induced convulsions, as well as the __________________ of hyperbilirubinemia
in neonates. It is no longer used as a sedative or hypnotic. - -barbiturate
-sedative effects
-prevent
-barbiturate
-prevent
-treatment
Which statements are correct regarding sedative-hypnotics? Select all that apply. - -Prolonged use of
sedative-hypnotics can cause rapid eye movement (REM) interference resulting in daytime fatigue.
-Sedative-hypnotics can be ultrashort-, short-, intermediate-, or long-acting.
-Discontinuation of a sedative-hypnotic can cause REM rebound resulting in too much REM sleep and
frequent, vivid dreams.
Which are currently the more frequently prescribed sedative-hypnotic drugs? - Nonbenzodiazepines
Which statements are true regarding central nervous system (CNS) depressants? Select all that apply. - -
There are significant drug-to-drug interactions with benzodiazepines, especially with other CNS
depressants.
-Alcohol should not be used with CNS depressants because the combination multiplies the CNS
depressive effects.
-There is a black box warning regarding the combination of all opioids with all benzodiazepines.
-Barbiturates carry a high risk for dependency.
Which statements are true regarding barbiturates? Select all that apply. - -Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs; antidepressants) result in a longer duration of action of barbiturates.
-An overdose of barbiturates typically leads to respiratory arrest, coma, and death.
-Barbiturates are a type of sedative-hypnotic.
Which statement is true regarding sedative-hypnotics? - Sedative-hypnotics at high doses calm the CNS
and cause sleep.
, Match each barbiturate drug to its common use. - Methohexital and Thiopental - Induction of anesthesia
Pentobarbital and Secobarbital - Prevents hyperbilirubinemia in neonates
Butabarbital - Sedation
Phenobarbital and Mephobarbital - Prevention of seizures
Match the sedative-hypnotic central nervous system (CNS) depressant medication to its subclass. -
alprazolam, lorazepam, temazepam - Intermediate-acting benzodiazepines
clonazepam, diazepam, flurazepam - Long-acting benzodiazepines
pentobarbital, secobarbital - Short-acting barbiturates
phenobarbital, mephobarbital - Long-acting barbiturates
midazolam - Benzodiazepine most commonly used for preoperative anxiety and moderate sedation
flumazenil - Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonist that is the antidote to
benzodiazepines
zolpidem - Non-benzodiazepine, a short-acting hypnotic with a relatively low incidence of daytime
sleepiness
diazepam - Long-acting benzodiazepine can be used to treat status epilepticus
Which medication is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine used for its anxiolytic effects? - Alprazolam
Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in pregnancy and for lactating mothers? Select all that apply. -
-Benzodiazepines cross into breast milk.
-Benzodiazepines may cause sedation and respiratory issues in newborns.
-Benzodiazepines cause central nervous system (CNS) depression.
-Benzodiazepines may cause teratogenic effects.
Benzodiazepines are most often used for which effect? - Anxiolytic
Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in pregnancy because they
_________________________________________. This can subsequently lead to
_____________________________ in the neonate. - -cause central nervous system CNS depression
-respiratory issues
Which statement is true about intermediate-acting benzodiazepines? - Intermediate-acting
benzodiazepines have a typical onset of 1-2 hours.
What are indications for the use of alprazolam? Select all that apply. - -Panic disorder
-Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are drugs that result in a calming effect by _______________
the transmission of nerve impulses to the CNS. - -inhibiting
_______________________________ are the subclass of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that
inhibit nerve impulses by acting on the brainstem and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors,
resulting in the inhibition of nerve impulses in the cerebral cortex. - -Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines carry a black box warning regarding what? - The combined use of benzodiazepines and
opioids can cause extreme central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Choose the correct central nervous system (CNS) depressant based on the degree to which it causes the
inhibition of nerve impulses in the CNS.
_______________ produce a sense of calm and reduce nervousness, excitability, and irritability without
causing sleep unless given at a large enough dose.
_______________ cause sleep with a much more potent CNS effect than __________________.
_________________ can act as either a sedative or a hypnotic depending on the dose and client
responsiveness. In low doses, they calm the CNS without causing sleep. In high doses, they calm the CNS
and cause sleep. - -Sedatives
-Hypnotics, sedatives
-Sedative-Hypnotics
Which of the sedative-hypnotic groups carries the highest risk for dependence and is therefore used
less? - Barbiturates
Barbiturates carry with them many contraindications, the risk of dependence and overdose, as well as
many drug-to-drug interactions.
Drag each statement that applies to barbiturates to the right side column. - -Barbiturates are
contraindicated in pregnancy.
-Barbiturates cause enzyme stimulation in the liver, leading to a shortened duration of action of many
drugs.
-An overdose of barbiturates typically leads to respiratory arrest, coma, and death.
-Long-term use can lead to harmful effects on sleep due to deprivation of rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep.
-Pentobarbital and phenobarbital help treat insomnia, withdrawal symptoms, and control status
epilepticus.
,Which statements are correct regarding benzodiazepines? Select all that apply. - -Affect the
hypothalamic, thalamic, and limbic systems of the brain (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] receptors)
-Induce relaxation of skeletal muscles
-Reduce excessive sensory stimulation which induces sleep
Nonbenzodiazepines act on the central nervous system (CNS)
________________________________________________.
Orexin receptor antagonists (also called hypocretins) act on the CNS
______________________________________________. - -and act very much like benzodiazepines
-and act very much like benzodiazepines
Pentobarbital is a short-acting _____________________ now used for preoperative anxiety and to
produce ______________________, to treat symptoms of withdrawal from other barbiturates and
nonbarbiturates, to control status epilepticus, and to ______________ hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.
Phenobarbital is a long-acting ____________________used to _______________ generalized tonic-
clonic seizures and fever-induced convulsions, as well as the __________________ of hyperbilirubinemia
in neonates. It is no longer used as a sedative or hypnotic. - -barbiturate
-sedative effects
-prevent
-barbiturate
-prevent
-treatment
Which statements are correct regarding sedative-hypnotics? Select all that apply. - -Prolonged use of
sedative-hypnotics can cause rapid eye movement (REM) interference resulting in daytime fatigue.
-Sedative-hypnotics can be ultrashort-, short-, intermediate-, or long-acting.
-Discontinuation of a sedative-hypnotic can cause REM rebound resulting in too much REM sleep and
frequent, vivid dreams.
Which are currently the more frequently prescribed sedative-hypnotic drugs? - Nonbenzodiazepines
Which statements are true regarding central nervous system (CNS) depressants? Select all that apply. - -
There are significant drug-to-drug interactions with benzodiazepines, especially with other CNS
depressants.
-Alcohol should not be used with CNS depressants because the combination multiplies the CNS
depressive effects.
-There is a black box warning regarding the combination of all opioids with all benzodiazepines.
-Barbiturates carry a high risk for dependency.
Which statements are true regarding barbiturates? Select all that apply. - -Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs; antidepressants) result in a longer duration of action of barbiturates.
-An overdose of barbiturates typically leads to respiratory arrest, coma, and death.
-Barbiturates are a type of sedative-hypnotic.
Which statement is true regarding sedative-hypnotics? - Sedative-hypnotics at high doses calm the CNS
and cause sleep.
, Match each barbiturate drug to its common use. - Methohexital and Thiopental - Induction of anesthesia
Pentobarbital and Secobarbital - Prevents hyperbilirubinemia in neonates
Butabarbital - Sedation
Phenobarbital and Mephobarbital - Prevention of seizures
Match the sedative-hypnotic central nervous system (CNS) depressant medication to its subclass. -
alprazolam, lorazepam, temazepam - Intermediate-acting benzodiazepines
clonazepam, diazepam, flurazepam - Long-acting benzodiazepines
pentobarbital, secobarbital - Short-acting barbiturates
phenobarbital, mephobarbital - Long-acting barbiturates
midazolam - Benzodiazepine most commonly used for preoperative anxiety and moderate sedation
flumazenil - Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonist that is the antidote to
benzodiazepines
zolpidem - Non-benzodiazepine, a short-acting hypnotic with a relatively low incidence of daytime
sleepiness
diazepam - Long-acting benzodiazepine can be used to treat status epilepticus
Which medication is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine used for its anxiolytic effects? - Alprazolam
Why are benzodiazepines contraindicated in pregnancy and for lactating mothers? Select all that apply. -
-Benzodiazepines cross into breast milk.
-Benzodiazepines may cause sedation and respiratory issues in newborns.
-Benzodiazepines cause central nervous system (CNS) depression.
-Benzodiazepines may cause teratogenic effects.
Benzodiazepines are most often used for which effect? - Anxiolytic
Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in pregnancy because they
_________________________________________. This can subsequently lead to
_____________________________ in the neonate. - -cause central nervous system CNS depression
-respiratory issues
Which statement is true about intermediate-acting benzodiazepines? - Intermediate-acting
benzodiazepines have a typical onset of 1-2 hours.
What are indications for the use of alprazolam? Select all that apply. - -Panic disorder
-Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
