Deck 16: Drugs Used for Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for patients prescribed buspirone (BuSpar).Which information about this medication should be included?

A)There is minimal potential for abuse.
B)Signs of improvement can be seen within 3 days.
C)Sedation is increased compared with other antianxiety medications.
D)It stimulates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Answer 1

There is minimal potential for abuse.

Question 2

The outcome statement for a patient suffering from anxiety disorder reads, "After 1 week on alprazolam (Xanax) therapy, patient will exhibit a manageable level of anxiety." Which assessment finding validates that this outcome is met?

A)Patient is unable to participate in group therapy conversations.
B)Patient reports persistent fear about dying of a rare illness.
C)Patient verifies that family reunions trigger anxiety and excessive drinking.
D)Patient reports sleeping better and increased interest in activities.

Answer 2

Patient reports sleeping better and increased interest in activities.

Question 3

What will the nurse caution a patient about when providing information about the prescribed azaspirone antidepressant?

A)Risk for addiction
B)Adverse effect of nausea
C)Risk of injury when using machinery
D)Additive effects of central nervous system (CNS) depression with alcohol

Answer 3

Risk of injury when using machinery

Question 4

Which is a benzodiazepine of choice when treating anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal?

A)Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
B)Oxazepam (Serax)
C)Diazepam (Valium)
D)Clorazepate (Tranxene)

Question 5

Which substance(s) may increase the toxic effects of benzodiazepines? (Select all that apply.)

A)Alcohol
B)Antihistamines
C)Analgesics
D)Sedatives
E)Vitamins
F)Hypnotics

Question 6

Which assessment(s) would be included in the evaluation of a patient with anxiety? (Select all that apply.)

A)Physical examination
B)Psychological evaluation
C)History of precipitation stressors
D)Medication history
E)Substance abuse history
F)Blood glucose level

Question 7

In addition to the relief of mild to moderate anxiety, hydroxyzine (Vistaril) has which additional therapeutic outcome(s)? (Select all that apply.)

A)Reduced need for sedation and analgesia before and after surgery
B)Elimination of psychotic thinking
C)Control of itching in allergic reactions
D)Control of vomiting
E)Control of obsessive compulsive thoughts
F)Prevention of extrapyramidal adverse effects and tardive dyskinesia

Question 8

Which patient is most likely to respond quickly to antianxiety therapy with benzodiazepines?

A)Patient with a history of long-term anxiety
B)Patient with recent anxiety reactions
C)Patient with severe depression in addition to being anxious
D)Patient with incidents of auditory hallucinations

Question 9

What instruction is most important for the nurse to teach the patient who has recently been prescribed alprazolam (Xanax)?

A)"The medication needs to be taken on an empty stomach."
B)"You may feel dizzy or unsteady when rising to a standing position."
C)"Smoking will require a reduction in dosage of the medication."
D)"Over the counter medications are safe to take while on this medication."

Question 10

Which is the drug of choice to treat a patient with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?

A)Lorazepam (Ativan)
B)Buspirone (BuSpar)
C)Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
D)Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Question 11

The prenatal nurse is educating a woman regarding preconception care.The patient informs the nurse that she is currently taking a benzodiazepine drug for management of anxiety.Appropriate teaching for this patient will include that benzodiazepines: (Select all that apply.)

A)readily cross into breast milk.
B)are safe to take throughout pregnancy.
C)enter fetal circulation.
D)are not associated with ill effects on the infant following birth.
E)may increase newborn muscle tone.

Question 12

A newly admitted psychiatric patient repetitively states, "I wish I were dead.I just want to kill myself." The priority nursing at this time is to:

A)establish a trusting relationship.
B)encourage a nonstimulating environment.
C)provide for patient safety.
D)identify signs of increased anxiety.

Question 13

A female patient is admitted to the adult psychiatric floor with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder.Anxiolytic medications and group therapy have been prescribed.Evaluation of therapeutic outcomes related to her acute stay can be measured by which assessment(s)? (Select all that apply.)

A)She is able to sleep 5 hours during the night.
B)The tremor and pacing she exhibited on admission are reduced.
C)She is able to attend and actively participate in group sessions.
D)She is eating only 10% of her meals.
E)She complains of chest pain before group therapy.

Question 14

The nurse transcribes an order for lorazepam for a patient experiencing nausea and vomiting as a result of alcohol withdrawal.The most appropriate route of administration for lorazepam with this patient would be:

A)by mouth.
B)rectally.
C)intramuscularly.
D)subcutaneously.

Question 15

What is the recommended time over which antianxiety medications must be gradually tapered before discontinuation?

A)1 week
B)1 month
C)6 months
D)1 year

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to educate a patient and significant other about antianxiety medications before the patient's discharge.What is pertinent information to be included in the teaching plan?

A)Discuss, review, and validate the behavior monitoring system and intervention flow sheet the patient and significant other will continue to use following discharge.
B)Discuss the possible dependence associated with the medication at length to make sure the patient does not overuse the drug.
C)Instruct the patient to educate family members about the medication therapy, based on recollection of discussions with the nurse.
D)Provide all instructions verbally, with repetition as needed when requested by the patient.

Question 17

Which is true regarding psychological drug dependence?

A)It is easier to treat than physiological dependence.
B)It is not considered a true addiction.
C)It is easily controlled by influencing the patient's perceptions.
D)It requires medical intervention to treat.