For many years, an older female patient has taken 1 mg of the benzodiazepine lorazepam at bedtime and with episodes of anxiety. What should the nurse respond to learning of this information?
A) "Have you been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder?"
B) "Have you considered other methods beyond medication to help you sleep and relieve your anxiety?"
C) "This drug can lead to problems with coordination that mimic Parkinson disease, so it's best to minimize its use.".
D) "Drugs like this have been shown to be inappropriate and ineffective; it would be useful for you to discuss this fact with your doctor.".
B
Feedback:
It is important to discuss alternatives, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, to benzodiazepine use with older adults. The patient's pattern of use does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and the nurse should not be making this decision. Benzodiazepines are not known to have a Parkinsonian effect and they are not necessarily inappropriate or ineffective.
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