NURSING 6005 CHAPTER 35: MANAGEMENT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
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.
ANS: D
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Treatment | Benzodiazepines
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
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)
ANS: A
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Treatment; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Treatment | Panic
Disorder | Treatment | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Treatment
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
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.”
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
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.
ANS: D
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Treatment | Benzodiazepines
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
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)
ANS: A
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Treatment; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Treatment | Panic
Disorder | Treatment | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Treatment
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
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.”
