ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
Diazepam (Valium)
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
Benzodiazepines
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Depress the CNS by potentiating GABA. It's used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and
Produces skeletal muscle relaxationby fits (seizures). It's also used in hospital to
inhibiting spinal polysynaptic afferent. reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such
as sweating or difficulty sleeping.
Complications Medication Administration
Hypersensitivity,comatose patient,severe PO 2-10mg 3-4X daily
pulmonaryimpairment,severe hepatic IV 5-10mg may repeat 2-4hrs
dysfunction,pre-existing CNS depression.
Contraindications/Precautions
Epilepsy, psychoses, mental depression; myasthenia
gravis; impaired hepatic or renal function; drug abuse,
addiction-prone individuals. Injectable diazepam used with Nursing Interventions
extreme caution in older adults, the very ill, and patients
Monitor for adverse reactions. Most are dose related. Physician will rely on accurate observation
and reports of patient response to the drug to determine lowest effective maintenance dose.
Monitor for therapeutic effectiveness. Maximum effect may require 1– 2 wk; patient tolerance to
with COPD. therapeutic effects may develop after 4 wk of treatment.
Observe necessary preventive precautions for suicidal tendencies that may be present in anxiety
states accompanied by depression.
Observe patient closely and monitor vital signs when diazepam is given parenterally; hypotension,
muscular weakness, tachycardia, and respiratory depression may occur.
Lab tests: Periodic CBC and liver function tests during prolonged therapy.
Supervise ambulation. Adverse reactions such as drowsiness and ataxia are more likely to occur
in older adults and debilitated or those receiving larger doses. Dosage adjustment may be
necessary.
Monitor I&O ratio, including urinary and bowel elimination.
Interactions
Alcohol, CNS DEPRESSANTS, ANTICONVULSANTS potentiate
CNS depression; cimetidine increases diazepam plasma levels,
increases toxicity; may decrease antiparkinson effects of levodopa;
may increase phenytoin levels; smoking decreases sedative and
antianxiety effects. Herbal: Kava kava, valerian may potentiate
sedation.
Client Education
Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants during therapy unless
otherwise advised by physician. Concomitant use of these
agents can cause severe drowsiness, respiratory depression,
and apnea.
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness Do not drive or engage in other potentially hazardous activities or
those requiring mental precision until reaction to drug is known.
Tell physician if you become or intend to become pregnant
Reduced anxiety during therapy; drug may need to be discontinued.
Take drug as prescribed; do not change dose or dose intervals.
Decreased muscle spasms Check with physician before taking any OTC drugs.
Do not breast feed while taking this drug without consulting
Control of seizures physician.
Reduced alcohol withdrwal symptoms
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
Diazepam (Valium)
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
Benzodiazepines
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Depress the CNS by potentiating GABA. It's used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and
Produces skeletal muscle relaxationby fits (seizures). It's also used in hospital to
inhibiting spinal polysynaptic afferent. reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such
as sweating or difficulty sleeping.
Complications Medication Administration
Hypersensitivity,comatose patient,severe PO 2-10mg 3-4X daily
pulmonaryimpairment,severe hepatic IV 5-10mg may repeat 2-4hrs
dysfunction,pre-existing CNS depression.
Contraindications/Precautions
Epilepsy, psychoses, mental depression; myasthenia
gravis; impaired hepatic or renal function; drug abuse,
addiction-prone individuals. Injectable diazepam used with Nursing Interventions
extreme caution in older adults, the very ill, and patients
Monitor for adverse reactions. Most are dose related. Physician will rely on accurate observation
and reports of patient response to the drug to determine lowest effective maintenance dose.
Monitor for therapeutic effectiveness. Maximum effect may require 1– 2 wk; patient tolerance to
with COPD. therapeutic effects may develop after 4 wk of treatment.
Observe necessary preventive precautions for suicidal tendencies that may be present in anxiety
states accompanied by depression.
Observe patient closely and monitor vital signs when diazepam is given parenterally; hypotension,
muscular weakness, tachycardia, and respiratory depression may occur.
Lab tests: Periodic CBC and liver function tests during prolonged therapy.
Supervise ambulation. Adverse reactions such as drowsiness and ataxia are more likely to occur
in older adults and debilitated or those receiving larger doses. Dosage adjustment may be
necessary.
Monitor I&O ratio, including urinary and bowel elimination.
Interactions
Alcohol, CNS DEPRESSANTS, ANTICONVULSANTS potentiate
CNS depression; cimetidine increases diazepam plasma levels,
increases toxicity; may decrease antiparkinson effects of levodopa;
may increase phenytoin levels; smoking decreases sedative and
antianxiety effects. Herbal: Kava kava, valerian may potentiate
sedation.
Client Education
Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants during therapy unless
otherwise advised by physician. Concomitant use of these
agents can cause severe drowsiness, respiratory depression,
and apnea.
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness Do not drive or engage in other potentially hazardous activities or
those requiring mental precision until reaction to drug is known.
Tell physician if you become or intend to become pregnant
Reduced anxiety during therapy; drug may need to be discontinued.
Take drug as prescribed; do not change dose or dose intervals.
Decreased muscle spasms Check with physician before taking any OTC drugs.
Do not breast feed while taking this drug without consulting
Control of seizures physician.
Reduced alcohol withdrwal symptoms
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES
