ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication

Michael Everette
STUDENT NAME______________________________________
Lorazepam, Diazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam, Clonazepam
MEDICATION___________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER____________

CATEGORY CLASS__Benzodiazepine
_____________________________________________________________________

PURPOSE OF MEDICATION

Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use

Reduction of: Anxiety disorder and seizure
disorder symptoms, and acute alcohol
withdrawal symptoms
- Anxiety & Anxiety disorders
- Skeletal muscle spasm & spasticty
- Seicure Disorders, treats status epilepticus
- Acute Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- induction of anesthesia

Complications Medication Administration

- Drowsiness - Slurred Speech - Impaired recall of events, Overdose/ toxicity - Give Alprazolam orally
- Paradoxical reaction (confusion, anxiety) - Take oral benzo's with food if G.I.
- Hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory depression symptoms develop
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Give diazepam orally, rectally, IM or IV.
- Oral: Sedation, confusion, Parenteral: Possible Life-threatening sedation,
hypotension, respiratory depression, cardiac arrest - Administer IV Diazepam slowly & have
emergency resuscitation equipment
nearby
- Do not give emulsion form IM (IV only)

Contraindications/Precautions
- Pregnancy -Teratogenic
- Schedule IV controlled substances
- Glaucoma Nursing Interventions
- Coma, shock, neonates, labor / delivery (IV diazepam)
- Older adults & Children under 18 (alprazolam) - Monitor client to prevent falls & other
- Mental health disorders, Neuromuscular disorders, Chronic Respiratory Disorders
injury following administration
- Monitor vital signs
- Monitor for complications
- Reverse sedation with Flumazenil
- Provide airway & blood pressure
Interactions support as needed, for overdose
- When taken concurrently with other CNS depressants: Alcohol, opioids, - Taper over 1-2 weeks to prevent /
and other benzo's minimize withdrawal.
- Cimetidine (Tagamet): Increases benzo levels
- Kava-Kava, chamomile, and valerian increase the risk for sedation.
- Disulfiram (antabuse) & Fluoxetine (Prozac) increase alprazolam levels/
Client Education
- Instruct clients to use care with
ambulation, when driving, or when using
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness hazardous equipment
- Advise client to stop use and inform
their provider, if complications arise.
- Instruct client to avoid increasing
prescribed dose
- Instruct client taper drug slowly to
prevent withdrawal

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES