Ultimate Comprehensive Nursing Review Guide:
Patient Assessment, Pharmacology Principles,
Sedative-Hypnotics, Benzodiazepines, SSRIs,
Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Immunology,
Allergies, Autoimmunity, Transplant Care,
Electrolyte Imbalances, Fluid Management, Renal
and Endocrine Disorders, Acute and Chronic Care
Interventions, Emergency Response, Medication
Safety, Laboratory Monitoring, Evidence-Based
Practice, Patient Education, and Multisystem
Nursing Management Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
1. An agitated, extremely anxious patient is brought to the emergency department. The
prescriber orders a benzodiazepine. The nurse understands that benzodiazepines are used in
this clinical situation based on which principle?
a. Benzodiazepines have a very short half-life.
b. Physical dependence is not a risk when taking benzodiazepines.
c. Benzodiazepines are known to cure generalized anxiety.
d. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action.
d. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action.
The patient is clearly in a state of extreme, uncontrolled anxiety. Benzodiazepines are the drug
of choice for acute episodes of anxiety because of their rapid onset of action. Benzodiazepines
do not have a very short half-life. Benzodiazepines are associated with physical dependence.
Benzodiazepines do not cure generalized anxiety, nor do any other drugs.
2. A nurse is admitting a patient to a hospital unit and is taking a history. The patient reports
taking alprazolam (Xanax) for "nerves." The nurse knows that this patient is most likely being
treated for which condition?
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
,b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
c. Panic disorder
d. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
Benzodiazepines are first-choice drugs for anxiety, and alprazolam and lorazepam are prescribed
most often. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line drugs for the
treatment of OCD. Panic disorder is treated with any of the three classes of antidepressants:
SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Research has
not shown any drug to be effective in the treatment of PTSD, although two SSRIs have been
approved for use for this disorder.
3. A nurse is preparing a patient to change from taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety to
buspirone (Buspar). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I can drink alcohol when taking Buspar, but not grapefruit juice."
b. "I may need to use a sedative medication if I experience insomnia."
c. "I may not feel the effects of Buspar for a few weeks."
d. "I should stop taking the Ativan when I start taking the Buspar."
d. "I should stop taking the Ativan when I start taking the Buspar."
Ativan should not be withdrawn quickly; it needs to be tapered to prevent withdrawal
symptoms. Moreover, Buspar does not have immediate effects. Because no cross-dependence
occurs with these two medications, they may be taken together while the benzodiazepine is
tapered. Because Buspar does not have sedative effects, patients can consume alcohol without
increasing sedation. Levels of Buspar can be increased by grapefruit juice, leading to drowsiness
and a feeling of dysphoria. Buspar can cause nervousness and excitement and does not have
sedative effects, so patients with insomnia must use a sedative. Buspar does not have
immediate effects.
4. A patient reports having occasional periods of tremors, palpitations, nausea, and a sense of
fear. To treat this condition, the nurse anticipates the provider will prescribe a drug in which
drug class?
a. Benzodiazepines
b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
d. Tricyclic antidepressants
,c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
This patient is showing characteristics of panic disorder. All three major classes of
antidepressants are effective, but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line drugs.
Benzodiazepines are second-line drugs and are rarely used because of their abuse potential.
MAOIs are effective but are difficult to use because of side effects and drug and food
interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants are second-line drugs, and their use is recommended only
after a trial of at least one SSRI has failed.
5. A patient describes feelings of anxiety and fear when speaking in front of an audience and is
having difficulty at work because of an inability to present information at meetings three or four
times each year. The patient is reluctant to take long-term medications. The nurse will expect
the provider to order which treatment?
a. Alprazolam (Xanax) as needed
b. Cognitive behavioral therapy
c. Paroxetine (Paxil)
d. Psychotherapy
a. Alprazolam (Xanax) as needed
This patient is describing social anxiety disorder; the symptoms are related to performance only
and are not generalized to all social situations. Because this patient must speak in front of an
audience only three or four times per year, a PRN medication can be used. Cognitive behavioral
therapy is used for OCD. Paroxetine must be used continuously for at least 1 year.
Psychotherapy can be used but is more effective when used in combination with drugs
6. During an admission history, a patient reports a frequent need to return to a room multiple
times to make sure an iron or other appliance is unplugged. What does the nurse understand
about this patient's behavior?
a. It helps the patient reduce anxiety about causing a fire.
b. It usually is treated with clomipramine (Anafranil).
c. It seems perfectly normal to the patient.
d. It will best respond to deep brain stimulation.
a. It helps the patient reduce anxiety about causing a fire.
Patients with OCD have compulsive behaviors, such as repeatedly checking to make sure
appliances have been unplugged. The compulsion is a ritualized behavior resulting from
, obsessive anxiety or fear that something bad will happen, such as starting a fire with an
overheated appliance. Clomipramine is not a first-line drug for treating OCD. Patients usually
understand that compulsive behaviors are excessive and senseless but are unable to stop. Deep
brain stimulation is indicated for patients in whom other treatments have failed; its
effectiveness at reducing symptoms has been shown to be about 40%.
7. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are known to be effective for which disorders? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Panic disorder
d. Post-traumatic stress disorder
e. Social anxiety disorder
a. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Panic disorder
e. Social anxiety disorder
SSRIs have been shown to be effective in treating GAD, OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety
disorder. They are used to treat PTSD but have not demonstrated effectiveness in clinical
research.
8. A nurse is discussing the use of benzodiazepines as sedative-hypnotic agents with a group of
nursing students. A student asks about the actions of these drugs in the central nervous system.
The nurse makes which correct statement?
a. "Benzodiazepines affect the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex to cause anterograde
amnesia."
b. "Benzodiazepines depress neuronal functions by acting at a single site in the brain."
c. "Benzodiazepines induce muscle relaxation by acting on sites outside the central nervous
system."
d. "Benzodiazepines promote sleep through effects on the limbic system."
a. "Benzodiazepines affect the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex to cause anterograde
amnesia."
All beneficial and most adverse effects of benzodiazepines occur from depressant actions in the
central nervous system (CNS); the various effects depend on the site of action. Anterograde
Patient Assessment, Pharmacology Principles,
Sedative-Hypnotics, Benzodiazepines, SSRIs,
Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Immunology,
Allergies, Autoimmunity, Transplant Care,
Electrolyte Imbalances, Fluid Management, Renal
and Endocrine Disorders, Acute and Chronic Care
Interventions, Emergency Response, Medication
Safety, Laboratory Monitoring, Evidence-Based
Practice, Patient Education, and Multisystem
Nursing Management Exam Questions Verified and
Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
1. An agitated, extremely anxious patient is brought to the emergency department. The
prescriber orders a benzodiazepine. The nurse understands that benzodiazepines are used in
this clinical situation based on which principle?
a. Benzodiazepines have a very short half-life.
b. Physical dependence is not a risk when taking benzodiazepines.
c. Benzodiazepines are known to cure generalized anxiety.
d. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action.
d. Benzodiazepines have a rapid onset of action.
The patient is clearly in a state of extreme, uncontrolled anxiety. Benzodiazepines are the drug
of choice for acute episodes of anxiety because of their rapid onset of action. Benzodiazepines
do not have a very short half-life. Benzodiazepines are associated with physical dependence.
Benzodiazepines do not cure generalized anxiety, nor do any other drugs.
2. A nurse is admitting a patient to a hospital unit and is taking a history. The patient reports
taking alprazolam (Xanax) for "nerves." The nurse knows that this patient is most likely being
treated for which condition?
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
,b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
c. Panic disorder
d. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
a. Generalized anxiety disorder
Benzodiazepines are first-choice drugs for anxiety, and alprazolam and lorazepam are prescribed
most often. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line drugs for the
treatment of OCD. Panic disorder is treated with any of the three classes of antidepressants:
SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Research has
not shown any drug to be effective in the treatment of PTSD, although two SSRIs have been
approved for use for this disorder.
3. A nurse is preparing a patient to change from taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety to
buspirone (Buspar). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I can drink alcohol when taking Buspar, but not grapefruit juice."
b. "I may need to use a sedative medication if I experience insomnia."
c. "I may not feel the effects of Buspar for a few weeks."
d. "I should stop taking the Ativan when I start taking the Buspar."
d. "I should stop taking the Ativan when I start taking the Buspar."
Ativan should not be withdrawn quickly; it needs to be tapered to prevent withdrawal
symptoms. Moreover, Buspar does not have immediate effects. Because no cross-dependence
occurs with these two medications, they may be taken together while the benzodiazepine is
tapered. Because Buspar does not have sedative effects, patients can consume alcohol without
increasing sedation. Levels of Buspar can be increased by grapefruit juice, leading to drowsiness
and a feeling of dysphoria. Buspar can cause nervousness and excitement and does not have
sedative effects, so patients with insomnia must use a sedative. Buspar does not have
immediate effects.
4. A patient reports having occasional periods of tremors, palpitations, nausea, and a sense of
fear. To treat this condition, the nurse anticipates the provider will prescribe a drug in which
drug class?
a. Benzodiazepines
b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
d. Tricyclic antidepressants
,c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
This patient is showing characteristics of panic disorder. All three major classes of
antidepressants are effective, but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line drugs.
Benzodiazepines are second-line drugs and are rarely used because of their abuse potential.
MAOIs are effective but are difficult to use because of side effects and drug and food
interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants are second-line drugs, and their use is recommended only
after a trial of at least one SSRI has failed.
5. A patient describes feelings of anxiety and fear when speaking in front of an audience and is
having difficulty at work because of an inability to present information at meetings three or four
times each year. The patient is reluctant to take long-term medications. The nurse will expect
the provider to order which treatment?
a. Alprazolam (Xanax) as needed
b. Cognitive behavioral therapy
c. Paroxetine (Paxil)
d. Psychotherapy
a. Alprazolam (Xanax) as needed
This patient is describing social anxiety disorder; the symptoms are related to performance only
and are not generalized to all social situations. Because this patient must speak in front of an
audience only three or four times per year, a PRN medication can be used. Cognitive behavioral
therapy is used for OCD. Paroxetine must be used continuously for at least 1 year.
Psychotherapy can be used but is more effective when used in combination with drugs
6. During an admission history, a patient reports a frequent need to return to a room multiple
times to make sure an iron or other appliance is unplugged. What does the nurse understand
about this patient's behavior?
a. It helps the patient reduce anxiety about causing a fire.
b. It usually is treated with clomipramine (Anafranil).
c. It seems perfectly normal to the patient.
d. It will best respond to deep brain stimulation.
a. It helps the patient reduce anxiety about causing a fire.
Patients with OCD have compulsive behaviors, such as repeatedly checking to make sure
appliances have been unplugged. The compulsion is a ritualized behavior resulting from
, obsessive anxiety or fear that something bad will happen, such as starting a fire with an
overheated appliance. Clomipramine is not a first-line drug for treating OCD. Patients usually
understand that compulsive behaviors are excessive and senseless but are unable to stop. Deep
brain stimulation is indicated for patients in whom other treatments have failed; its
effectiveness at reducing symptoms has been shown to be about 40%.
7. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are known to be effective for which disorders? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Panic disorder
d. Post-traumatic stress disorder
e. Social anxiety disorder
a. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Panic disorder
e. Social anxiety disorder
SSRIs have been shown to be effective in treating GAD, OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety
disorder. They are used to treat PTSD but have not demonstrated effectiveness in clinical
research.
8. A nurse is discussing the use of benzodiazepines as sedative-hypnotic agents with a group of
nursing students. A student asks about the actions of these drugs in the central nervous system.
The nurse makes which correct statement?
a. "Benzodiazepines affect the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex to cause anterograde
amnesia."
b. "Benzodiazepines depress neuronal functions by acting at a single site in the brain."
c. "Benzodiazepines induce muscle relaxation by acting on sites outside the central nervous
system."
d. "Benzodiazepines promote sleep through effects on the limbic system."
a. "Benzodiazepines affect the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex to cause anterograde
amnesia."
All beneficial and most adverse effects of benzodiazepines occur from depressant actions in the
central nervous system (CNS); the various effects depend on the site of action. Anterograde
