ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication
STUDENT NAME _ ______
Lorazepam
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
benzodiazepines Controlled substance IV
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Depresses the CNS, probably by potentiating Sedation.
GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Decreased anxiety.
Decreased seizures.
Complications Medication Administration
CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, hangover, headache, ataxia, slurred speech, forgetfulness, confusion, mental
depression, rhythmic myoclonic jerking in pre-term infants, paradoxical excitation Preanesthetic
CV: rapid IV use only: APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST, bradycardia, hypotension IV (Adults): 0.044 mg/kg (not to
Derm: rash
EENT: blurred vision before surgery.
Contraindications/Precautions
Hypersensitivity;
Cross-sensitivity with other benzodiazepines may exist;
Comatose patients or those with pre-existing CNS depression;
Uncontrolled severe pain; Nursing Interventions
Angle-closure glaucoma;
Severe hypotension; Do not confuse lorazepam with
Sleep apnea; alprazolam, clonazepam, or Lovaza
Following parenteral administration,
keep patient supine for at least 8 hr
Interactions and observe closely.
Use with opioids or other CNS depressants, including other benzodiazepines, Conduct regular assessment of
non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, general anesthetics, muscle continued need for treatment.
relaxants, antipsychotics, and alcohol may cause profound sedation, respiratory
depression, coma, and death; reserve concurrent use for when alternative treatment
options are inadequate.
May decrease the efficacy of levodopa.
Smoking may decrease metabolism and effectiveness.
Client Education
Instruct patient to take medication exactly as directed and not to
skip or double up on missed doses. If medication is less effective
after a few wk, check with health care professional; do not
increase dose.
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness Advise patient that lorazepam is usually prescribed for short-term
use and does not cure underlying problem.
Advise patient to decrease lorazepam dose gradually to minimize
Increase in sense of well-being. withdrawal symptoms; abrupt withdrawal may cause tremors,
nausea, vomiting, and abdominal and muscle cramps.
Teach other methods to decrease anxiety,
Decrease in subjective feelings of anxiety without excessive sedation.
Reduction of preoperative anxiety.
Postoperative amnesia.
Improvement in sleep patterns.
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE A7
STUDENT NAME _ ______
Lorazepam
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
benzodiazepines Controlled substance IV
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Depresses the CNS, probably by potentiating Sedation.
GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Decreased anxiety.
Decreased seizures.
Complications Medication Administration
CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, hangover, headache, ataxia, slurred speech, forgetfulness, confusion, mental
depression, rhythmic myoclonic jerking in pre-term infants, paradoxical excitation Preanesthetic
CV: rapid IV use only: APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST, bradycardia, hypotension IV (Adults): 0.044 mg/kg (not to
Derm: rash
EENT: blurred vision before surgery.
Contraindications/Precautions
Hypersensitivity;
Cross-sensitivity with other benzodiazepines may exist;
Comatose patients or those with pre-existing CNS depression;
Uncontrolled severe pain; Nursing Interventions
Angle-closure glaucoma;
Severe hypotension; Do not confuse lorazepam with
Sleep apnea; alprazolam, clonazepam, or Lovaza
Following parenteral administration,
keep patient supine for at least 8 hr
Interactions and observe closely.
Use with opioids or other CNS depressants, including other benzodiazepines, Conduct regular assessment of
non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, general anesthetics, muscle continued need for treatment.
relaxants, antipsychotics, and alcohol may cause profound sedation, respiratory
depression, coma, and death; reserve concurrent use for when alternative treatment
options are inadequate.
May decrease the efficacy of levodopa.
Smoking may decrease metabolism and effectiveness.
Client Education
Instruct patient to take medication exactly as directed and not to
skip or double up on missed doses. If medication is less effective
after a few wk, check with health care professional; do not
increase dose.
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness Advise patient that lorazepam is usually prescribed for short-term
use and does not cure underlying problem.
Advise patient to decrease lorazepam dose gradually to minimize
Increase in sense of well-being. withdrawal symptoms; abrupt withdrawal may cause tremors,
nausea, vomiting, and abdominal and muscle cramps.
Teach other methods to decrease anxiety,
Decrease in subjective feelings of anxiety without excessive sedation.
Reduction of preoperative anxiety.
Postoperative amnesia.
Improvement in sleep patterns.
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE A7
