A client is admitted to the mental health unit with a diagnosis of panic disorder. The nurse anticipates that the physician will prescribe a benzodiazepine and checks the physician's prescription sheet for which medication prescription?

Appeared in: DHS Staff Nurse - 2018 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

The question asks to identify a benzodiazepine from the list of medications.
Alprazolam is classified as a short-acting benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines are a first-choice drug class for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic disorders due to their rapid onset of action.
Alprazolam works by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which results in a calming effect on the central nervous system.

Option B: Doxepin is a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), not a benzodiazepine. While it can be used for anxiety, it is not the drug class specified in the question.
Option C: Imipramine is also a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), not a benzodiazepine. It is primarily used for depression.
Option D: Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant, specifically a Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI). It is not a benzodiazepine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Pharmacological treatment of panic disorder and classification of psychotherapeutic drugs to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses must be able to correctly identify drug classes to anticipate effects, side effects, and provide appropriate patient education.
For a client starting on Alprazolam, a key nursing priority is safety. This includes fall precautions, especially in older adults, and education about avoiding alcohol and other CNS depressants.
What if the client had a history of substance abuse? In that case, a benzodiazepine like Alprazolam would be used with extreme caution or avoided altogether due to its high potential for dependence. The physician might prefer a non-addictive anxiolytic like buspirone or an SSRI for long-term management.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'benzodiazepine'. The question is a straightforward knowledge-based query asking you to identify which of the four drugs belongs to this class.
Review each option and recall its drug classification.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. The suffix '-lam' is a common clue for this class.
Doxepin and Imipramine are Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs).
Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant.
Based on this classification, select Alprazolam as it is the only benzodiazepine listed.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pharmacological treatment of panic disorder and classification of psychotherapeutic drugs.
Stem keywords: panic disorder, benzodiazepine, medication prescription
Lead-in keywords: which medication

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E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 2 (pp 290-564 of 579) p. 254-256

E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 1 (pp 26-289 of 579) p. 137-139

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 270-272

Practise the full DHS Staff Nurse - 2018 (Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.