Medication Families
Lorazepam, diazepam, and temazepam belong to this medication family.
What are benzodiazepines?
Known as the brain’s “brake,” this is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter affected by sedatives and hypnotics.
What is GABA?
The memory cue “Ativan equals anxiety” helps identify this medication used for anxiety, agitation, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
What is lorazepam?
Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and impaired coordination are common effects that increase the risk for this patient-safety problem.
What are falls?
: These two assessments are the highest priority after administering lorazepam.
What are respiratory status and level of sedation?
This nonbenzodiazepine Z-drug is primarily prescribed for insomnia.
What is zolpidem (Ambien)?
Benzodiazepines produce calming and sedation by enhancing the activity of this receptor.
What is the GABA-A receptor?
This long-acting benzodiazepine is used for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal.
What is diazepam (Valium)?
Slow or difficult breathing after receiving a sedative-hypnotic may indicate this life-threatening complication.
What is respiratory depression?
Temazepam should only be administered when the patient can get approximately this many hours of sleep.
What are 7–8 hours?
Phenobarbital belongs to this older class of CNS depressants.
What are barbiturates?
Unlike benzodiazepines, phenobarbital causes deeper CNS depression by doing this to GABA-mediated inhibition.
What is prolonging GABA-mediated inhibition?
“Rest equals Restoril” is the memory cue for this benzodiazepine used for short-term insomnia.
What is temazepam?
Sleepwalking and sleep-driving are serious adverse effects most closely associated with this medication.
What is zolpidem (Ambien)?
A 72-year-old patient requests zolpidem but is unsteady and took an opioid one hour ago. This is the nurse’s best first action.
What is hold the medication and complete a focused assessment?