Question 1

Drugs used to relax the patient and promote sleep are classified as&#10;A) sedative-hypnotics&#10;B) antidepressants&#10;C) antipsychotics&#10;D) neuroleptics&#10;E) antidyskinetics

Accepted Answer

Sedative-hypnotics are drugs used to promote sleep and relaxation. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, neuroleptics, and antidyskinetics are not primarily used for this purpose.

Question 2

When used to treat anxiety disorders,buspirone (BuSpar)acts by increasing the effects of _________ in certain areas of the brain,whereas more traditional antianxiety drugs such as Valium increase the inhibitory effects of _______ in the CNS.

A) GABA; serotonin
B) serotonin; GABA
C) GABA; acetylcholine
D) acetylcholine; serotonin
E) serotonin; dopamine

serotonin; GABA

Accepted Answer

Buspirone increases the effects of serotonin in certain areas of the brain, while traditional antianxiety drugs like Valium increase the inhibitory effects of GABA in the CNS.

Question 3

Problems such as a &#34;hang-over&#34; effect and other residual symptoms that occur the morning after a person takes a sedative-hypnotic can often be resolved by&#10;A) lowering the dose of the sedative-hypnotic&#10;B) switching to a drug that has a shorter half-life&#10;C) switching to one of the newer agents (zolpidem, zalepon) that tend to have milder residual effects&#10;D) all the above are true&#10;E) none of the above are true

Accepted Answer

All the options provided are valid strategies to mitigate the hangover effect and other residual symptoms following the use of a sedative-hypnotic. Lowering the dose can reduce the intensity of side effects, switching to a drug with a shorter half-life can decrease the duration of action and thus reduce next-day effects, and newer agents like zolpidem and zaleplon are designed to have fewer residual effects.

Question 4

Diazepam (Valium)and other benzodiazepines bind to specific GABA receptors in the CNS,and inhibit neuronal activity by _____ the conductance of ______ ions into the neuron.&#10;A) increasing; sodium&#10;B) decreasing; sodium&#10;C) increasing; potassium&#10;D) decreasing; potassium&#10;E) increasing; chloride

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines inhibit neuronal activity by increasing the conductance of chloride ions into the neuron, hyperpolarizing the cell and making it less likely to fire. This results in sedation, muscle relaxation, and decreased anxiety.

Question 5

When certain sedative-hypnotics are suddenly discontinued,sleep disturbances may actually increase.This situation is known commonly as&#10;A) tardive dyskinesia&#10;B) anterograde amnesia&#10;C) rebound insomnia&#10;D) malignant hyperthermia&#10;E) none of the above are true

Accepted Answer

When sedative-hypnotics are suddenly stopped, there may be a temporary increase in the symptoms for which the medication was prescribed. This is known as rebound insomnia.

Question 6

In addition to traditional sedatives like the benzodiazepines (e.g.,diazepam [Valium]),all of the following drug strategies can produce sedation EXCEPT&#10;A) antihistamines&#10;B) amphetamines&#10;C) certain antidepressants&#10;D) certain antipsychotics&#10;E) opioids

Accepted Answer

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs and therefore, do not produce sedation.

Question 7

Antidepressants such as paroxetine or venlafaxine can also be used to treat anxiety because&#10;A) they may be an effective substitute for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional antianxiety drugs&#10;B) they may resolve certain cases of anxiety with less chance of addiction&#10;C) many patients with anxiety also have symptoms of depression&#10;D) all of the above are true&#10;E) none of the above are true

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants such as paroxetine or venlafaxine can be an effective substitute for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional antianxiety drugs, they may resolve certain cases of anxiety with less chance of addiction, and many patients with anxiety also have symptoms of depression. Therefore, all of the listed options are true.

Question 8

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium)act by increasing the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter&#10;A) acetylcholine&#10;B) norepinephrine&#10;C) dopamine&#10;D) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)&#10;E) 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines act by increasing the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This results in decreased activity in the brain and nervous system, leading to sedation, relaxation, and anxiolysis. Diazepam (Valium) is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine.

Deck 6: Sedative Hypnotic and Anti-anxiety Agents