A patient's medication regimen for treatment of anxiety has been changed from a benzodiazepine. The patient asks the nurse what likely prompted his care provider to change his medication. What is the nurse's best response?

Question

A) "Your doctor may have been concerned about causing depression."
B) "Your doctor may have been worried about the possibility of convulsions."
C) "Long-term use of benzodiazepines can result in dependency."
D) "Long-term use of benzodiazepines can cause insomnia."

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
Although benzodiazepines are effective anxiolytics, long-term use is associated with concerns over tolerance, dependency, withdrawal, lack of efficacy for treating the depression that often accompanies anxiety disorders, and the need for multiple daily dosing with some agents. They do not cause insomnia, convulsions, or depression.