NR 546 Week 4 Anxiolytic Table - Advanced Pharmacology 2026
|Chamberlain
1. What is the primary mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Antagonizing dopamine receptors
B. Partial agonism of 5-HT1A receptors
C. Inhibition of Serotonin reuptake
D. Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Benzodiazepines work by binding to the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing
the frequency of chloride channel opening in the presence of GABA.
2. Which of the following is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that does not cause
dependence?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Diazepam
D. Buspirone
Answer: D
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that lacks the sedative-hypnotic
and muscle relaxant properties of BZDs and has no abuse potential.
,3. What is the typical onset of action for Buspirone in treating Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 2 to 4 hours
C. Immediately upon first dose
D. 2 to 4 weeks
Answer: D
Rationale: Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone takes several weeks of consistent use to
achieve its full therapeutic effect.
4. Which medication is most appropriate for a patient experiencing
performance anxiety (stage fright)?
A. Propranolol
B. Quetiapine
C. Lithium
D. Haloperidol
Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers like propranolol are used off-label to manage the physical
symptoms of performance anxiety, such as tachycardia and tremors.
5. Which drug is used as the specific reversal agent for benzodiazepine
overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Atropine
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil is a competitive benzodiazepine receptor antagonist used to reverse
the sedative effects of BZDs.
, 6. Which benzodiazepine is known for having a very short half-life and high
potency, often leading to rebound anxiety?
A. Diazepam
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Alprazolam
D. Clonazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Alprazolam is short-acting and highly potent, which can lead to inter-dose
withdrawal and rebound anxiety symptoms.
7. The ‘LOT’ benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam) are
preferred in elderly patients because:
A. They are the most potent
B. They are metabolized solely by glucuronidation
C. They have the longest half-lives
D. They do not cause sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: LOT BZDs bypass Phase I oxidation in the liver and are directly glucuronidated,
making them safer for patients with impaired liver function or the elderly.
8. A patient with a history of substance use disorder requires medication for
anxiety. Which is the safest choice?
A. Diazepam
B. Hydroxyzine
C. Clonazepam
D. Alprazolam
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with no addictive potential, making it safer for
patients with a history of substance abuse compared to BZDs.
|Chamberlain
1. What is the primary mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Antagonizing dopamine receptors
B. Partial agonism of 5-HT1A receptors
C. Inhibition of Serotonin reuptake
D. Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Benzodiazepines work by binding to the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing
the frequency of chloride channel opening in the presence of GABA.
2. Which of the following is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that does not cause
dependence?
A. Alprazolam
B. Lorazepam
C. Diazepam
D. Buspirone
Answer: D
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that lacks the sedative-hypnotic
and muscle relaxant properties of BZDs and has no abuse potential.
,3. What is the typical onset of action for Buspirone in treating Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 2 to 4 hours
C. Immediately upon first dose
D. 2 to 4 weeks
Answer: D
Rationale: Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone takes several weeks of consistent use to
achieve its full therapeutic effect.
4. Which medication is most appropriate for a patient experiencing
performance anxiety (stage fright)?
A. Propranolol
B. Quetiapine
C. Lithium
D. Haloperidol
Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers like propranolol are used off-label to manage the physical
symptoms of performance anxiety, such as tachycardia and tremors.
5. Which drug is used as the specific reversal agent for benzodiazepine
overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Atropine
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil is a competitive benzodiazepine receptor antagonist used to reverse
the sedative effects of BZDs.
, 6. Which benzodiazepine is known for having a very short half-life and high
potency, often leading to rebound anxiety?
A. Diazepam
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Alprazolam
D. Clonazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Alprazolam is short-acting and highly potent, which can lead to inter-dose
withdrawal and rebound anxiety symptoms.
7. The ‘LOT’ benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam) are
preferred in elderly patients because:
A. They are the most potent
B. They are metabolized solely by glucuronidation
C. They have the longest half-lives
D. They do not cause sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: LOT BZDs bypass Phase I oxidation in the liver and are directly glucuronidated,
making them safer for patients with impaired liver function or the elderly.
8. A patient with a history of substance use disorder requires medication for
anxiety. Which is the safest choice?
A. Diazepam
B. Hydroxyzine
C. Clonazepam
D. Alprazolam
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with no addictive potential, making it safer for
patients with a history of substance abuse compared to BZDs.
