A client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder is placed on clonazepam (Klonopin) and buspirone (BuSpar). Which client statement indicates teaching has been effective?
The client verbalizes that the clonazepam (Klonopin) is to be used for long-term therapy in conjunction with buspirone (BuSpar).
The client verbalizes that buspirone (BuSpar) can cause sedation and should be taken at night.
The client verbalizes that clonazepam (Klonopin) is to be used short-term until the buspirone (BuSpar) takes full effect.
The client verbalizes that tolerance can result with long-term use of buspirone (BuSpar).
The Correct Answer is C
Clonazepam and buspirone are commonly used together in the initial management of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that provides rapid relief of anxiety symptoms by enhancing GABA activity, but it carries risks of sedation, dependence, and tolerance. Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that acts as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. It has a delayed onset of action, typically requiring 2–4 weeks for full therapeutic effect, and is preferred for long-term management due to its low abuse potential and lack of sedation.
Rationale for correct answers
3. Clonazepam is used short-term to manage acute anxiety symptoms while waiting for buspirone’s delayed onset to take effect. This approach minimizes benzodiazepine dependence and supports transition to safer long-term therapy.
Rationale for incorrect answers
1. Long-term use of clonazepam is discouraged due to risk of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. It is not recommended as a sustained therapy alongside buspirone.
2. Buspirone does not cause sedation and is typically taken consistently, not necessarily at night. It lacks the sedative properties of benzodiazepines.
4. Buspirone does not lead to tolerance with long-term use. It is considered safe for chronic anxiety management without risk of physical dependence.
Take Home Points
- Clonazepam is used short-term for acute anxiety relief while buspirone builds therapeutic effect.
- Buspirone is non-sedating and preferred for long-term GAD management due to low abuse potential.
- Benzodiazepines like clonazepam carry risks of dependence and are not suitable for chronic use.
- Buspirone does not cause tolerance or sedation, making it ideal for sustained anxiety control.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Generalized anxiety disorderis a chronic psychiatric condition marked by excessive, persistent worry that is difficult to control. It presents with restlessness, irritability, and fatigue, often accompanied by somatic symptoms like muscle tension, sleep disturbance, and autonomic hyperactivity. Diagnostic criteria require symptoms to persist for at least six months and cause functional impairment. Exacerbations may occur during stress or illness, and vital signs may show mild sympathetic activation without reaching pathological thresholds.
Rationale for correct answers
1. Exacerbationof generalized anxiety disorder is supported by the client’s history and current symptoms—restlessness, irritability, and exhaustion—along with mildly elevated vital signs consistent with sympathetic arousal.
Rationale for incorrect answers
2.No evidence of acute medical illness is present; symptoms align with psychiatric etiologyrather than organic pathology.
3.While physical exams are routine, the client’s known diagnosis and symptom pattern already point to a psychiatric cause, making this less immediately relevant.
4.Dosage adjustment requires longitudinal assessment and evaluation of medication adherence, side effects, and therapeutic response—not assumed from a single ED visit.
Take Home Points
- Generalized anxiety disorder presents with chronic worry, restlessness, irritability, and fatigue.
- Mild sympathetic signs like elevated pulse and BP may occur during exacerbations.
- Diagnosis is clinical, based on DSM-5 criteria and exclusion of medical causes.
- Management includes psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy; dosage changes require careful evaluation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Objective datarefers to measurable, observable findings obtained through physical examination, diagnostic tests, or standardized tools. It is not influenced by personal feelings or interpretations. Objective data includes vital signs, lab results, and scores from validated assessment tools. These findings are reproducible and consistent across observers, making them essential for clinical decision-making.
Rationale for correct answers
1.A CIWA score is derived from a standardized assessment tool used to quantify alcohol withdrawal severity. It is measurableand reproducible, qualifying it as objective data.
Rationale for incorrect answers
2.Statements of anxiety are subjectivebecause they reflect the client’s personal experience and emotional state, which cannot be directly measured or verified by others.
3.Complaints of anorexia are subjectiveas they rely on the client’s perception of appetite loss, which may vary and cannot be quantified without further diagnostic evaluation.
4.The statement about disorganized thoughts is subjective, reflecting the client’s internal cognitive experience, which cannot be objectively validated without formal testing.
Take Home Points
- Objective data includes measurable findings like scores from validated tools and diagnostic results.
- Subjective data reflects the client’s personal experience and cannot be independently verified.
- CIWA is a validated tool used to assess alcohol withdrawal severity objectively.
- Differentiating objective from subjective data is critical for accurate nursing documentation and care planning.
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