A patient experiences an episode of severe anxiety. Of these medications in the patient's medical record, which is most appropriate to administer as an as-needed (prn) anxiolytic medication?
a. buspirone (BuSpar)
b. lorazepam (Ativan)
c. amitriptyline (Elavil)
d. desipramine (Norpramin)
ANS: B
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety; it may be administered as needed. Buspirone is long acting and not useful as an as-needed drug. Amitriptyline and desipramine are tricyclic antidepressants and considered second- or third-line agents.
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