Deck 7: Abuse and Addiction to Benzodiazepines and Similar Agents

Question 1

The benzodiazepines are said to

A) artificially simulate the effects of GABA at the receptor site.
B) block the effects of GABA at the receptor.
C) make the receptor site more sensitive to GABA molecules.
D) activate production of more GABA molecules.

Answer 1

make the receptor site more sensitive to GABA molecules.

Question 2

Benzodiazepines are rarely injected into muscle tissue due to their erratic absorption. One exception to this is when a patient is experiencing

A) a heart attack.
B) an overdose of heroin.
C) delirium tremors.
D) a seizure.

Answer 2

a seizure.

Question 3

Benzodiazepines enhance the effects of

A) serotonin.
B) GABA.
C) dopamine.
D) metabolites.

Answer 3

GABA.

Question 4

Benzodiazepine over-sedation usually is

A) not commonly encountered when the person starts to take one of these medications.
B) commonly encountered when the person starts to take one of these medications.
C) a measure of the individual's vulnerability to the development of physical addiction to one of these compounds.
D) a sure sign of cross tolerance to other CNS depressants such as alcohol orantihistamines.

Question 5

Persons taking diazepam have been found to have a 500% increased chance of

A) optic neuritis.
B) shortened reaction time.
C) motor vehicle accidents.
D) increased visual perception in dim light situations.

Question 6

To date, researchers have identified subtypes of the GABA receptor, and the exact function of each __________.

A) more than 20; is still being explored
B) more than 20; has been identified
C) between 12 and 15; has been genetically isolated
D) less than 20; is still being explored

Question 7

It is impossible to overdose on a benzodiazepine.

Question 8

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Great Britain recommends that benzodiazepines be used for no long than continuously.

A) 4 weeks
B) 8 weeks
C) 6 months
D) 12 months

Question 9

A friend started taking a prescribed benzodiazepine for anxiety and begins to demonstrate symptoms of depression and suicidal thinking. Which of the following statements is most true?

A) His benzodiazepine use might have "unmasked" a hypomanic state.
B) These symptoms possibly could reflect a rare side effect of this class of medications.
C) He has developed a tolerance for this medication and its effects.
D) These symptoms are a common side effect with this class of medications.

Question 10

Which hypnotic drug works by binding with the melatonin receptor in the brain?

A) Zolpidem
B) Buspirone
C) Ramelteon
D) Rohypnol

Question 11

The variations in chemical structure between different benzodiazepines

A) affects the duration of effect.
B) affects their binding site within the brain.
C) determines the production costs for that specific benzodiazepine.
D) eliminates or facilitates the process of lipid binding for that chemical.

Question 12

The benzodiazepines are thought to exert their primary effect in the

A) GABAf receptor site.
B) GABAa receptor site.
C) GABAc receptors in the descending fibers of the mesocortical system.
D) GABAb receptor sites in the optic lobe.

Question 13

What percentage of adults in the western world will use a benzodiazepine each year?

A) 1-2 percent
B) 5-8 percent
C) 10-15 percent
D) 20-22 percent

Question 14

A common form of benzodiazepine abuse is when they are mixed with to produce a sense of euphoria.

A) anabolic steroids
B) barbiturates
C) methadone
D) marijuana

Question 15

All of the following describe benzodiazepines EXCEPT

A) they have a large therapeutic window.
B) all are proven to assist in seizure control.
C) they require GABA molecules to be at receptor site to be effective.
D) they are occasionally used as adjunct to treatment of anxiety.

Question 16

The brain constantly attempts to adjust to environmental demands through a number of compensatory mechanisms, including

A) maintenance of consistent blood supplies to all parts of the amygdala.
B) maintenance of neurotransmitter site responsiveness for NMDA.
C) neural-definitation.
D) neuroadaptation.

Question 17

Benzodiazepine can interfere with

A) sexual function.
B) sleep.
C) memory.
D) all of these answers.

Question 18

The medical community collectively uses benzodiazepines for the long-term treatment of anxiety.

Question 19

It is potentially dangerous to mix benzodiazepines with many prescription and over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements.

Question 20

The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome

A) is uncomfortable but tolerable and not dangerous.
B) holds the potential to be life threatening.
C) usually can be carried out in 6-12 days, at most.
D) does not usually involve the use of a gradual "taper" from the patient's prior dose.

Question 21

What are some of the long­term consequences of chronic benzodiazepine use?

Question 22

Describe some of the more common side effects of the newer hypnotics.

Question 23

The peak effects of zaleplon appear

A) in the last 3 hours of the night's sleep.
B) in the first 4 hours after ingestion.
C) in the increased time spent asleep.
D) during REM sleep.

Question 24

Zaleplon appears to

A) decrease sleep latency but does not significantly interfere with REM sleep.
B) increases sleep latency and does not lengthen the total duration of time spent asleep.
C) has no effect on sleep latency but reduces REM sleep time.
D) decreases sleep latency but causes "fragmentation" of sleep cycles.

Question 25

Describe the nature of the debate regarding the long­term efficacy of benzodiazepines as anxiolytics.

Question 26

Discuss the relationship between benzodiazepines and suicide attempts.

Question 27

Alcohol abusers will most commonly use a benzodiazepine to

A) enjoy the effects of alcohol for a longer period of time as they grow older.
B) mitigate withdrawal effects from alcohol during the workday.
C) treat muscle sprains.
D) distract themselves from boring, routine tasks such as long distance driving.

Question 28

Benzodiazepines have been found to in some users.

A) increase stage 1 and 2 sleep when started
B) decrease stage 1 and 2 sleep when started
C) cause rebound insomnia when discontinued
D) increase REM sleep time

Question 29

The patient who is prescribed buspirone should not expect to

A) have dietary restrictions recommended while he or she is on this medication.
B) experience the peak effects in 2-5 hours.
C) be able to dose just once daily.
D) have to take a dose 3-4 times a day.

Question 30

According to your text, flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ®) is about

A) 10 times as potent as diazepam.
B) half as potent as diazepam unless mixed with alcohol.
C) three times as potent as diazepam.
D) 100 times as potent as diazepam.

Question 31

Describe the serotonin syndrome, one of the more serious adverse effects of buspirone.

Question 32

When used at normal doses, which of the following is NOT a potential side effect of the benzodiazepines?

A) Enhanced neurocognitive function
B) Anterograde amnesia
C) Paradoxical rage reactions
D) Over-sedation