A nurse is providing education to a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who has been prescribed a benzodiazepine medication. The nurse instructs the patient to avoid consuming alcohol while taking the medication.

Which of the following is the rationale for this instruction?

Choice A rationale:

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and alcohol also has a depressant effect on the CNS. When combined, they can potentiate each other's effects, leading to excessive sedation, dizziness, and impaired coordination. This can result in increased risks of accidents and injuries.

Choice B rationale:

While alcohol can indeed enhance the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, this is not the primary reason for instructing the patient to avoid alcohol. The main concern is the potential for adverse interactions, as mentioned in choice C.

Choice C rationale:

(Correct Choice) Alcohol can cause adverse interactions with benzodiazepines. Both substances act as depressants on the CNS, and their combined use can lead to severe sedation, respiratory depression, and even coma or death. In addition, the combination can impair cognitive and motor functions, making it unsafe to engage in activities such as driving.

Choice D rationale:

Alcohol's potential to increase the risk of dependence on benzodiazepines is a valid concern, but it is not the primary reason for advising the patient to avoid alcohol. The immediate risk of adverse interactions takes precedence.

Choice E rationale:

While alcohol can worsen the symptoms of anxiety disorder, this is not the primary reason for instructing the patient to avoid alcohol. The focus here is on the potential dangerous interactions between alcohol and benzodiazepine medications.

Choice A rationale:

(Correct Choice) Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can alleviate the symptoms of OCD. SSRIs are considered first-line treatments for OCD due to their efficacy and relatively favorable side effect profile.

Choice B rationale:

Clonazepam is not typically used as a first-line treatment for OCD. It is a benzodiazepine that can be helpful for anxiety-related conditions but is not among the primary medications prescribed specifically for OCD.

Choice C rationale:

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant that primarily affects serotonin and norepinephrine levels. While it can be used for conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, it is not a first-line treatment for OCD.

Choice D rationale:

Buspirone is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder but is not one of the preferred medications for treating OCD. It works differently from SSRIs and does not have the same established evidence base for managing OCD symptoms.

Choice E rationale:

(Correct Choice) Sertraline is another SSRI commonly used in the treatment of OCD. Similar to fluoxetine, sertraline increases serotonin levels, which can help reduce the obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD. Its efficacy and tolerability make it a suitable choice for OCD treatment.