Benzodiazepines

Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.

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Benzodiazepines

Examples: lorazepam, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide

Mechanism

Enhances GABA, the brain's braking system, to reduce excitability.

Used for

  • Seizure rescue
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Acute anxiety
  • Procedural sedation

Side effects

  • Sedation
  • Respiratory depression
  • Falls
  • Dependence

Nursing actions

  • Monitor airway, respirations, sedation level, and fall risk.
  • Avoid alcohol and other sedatives unless specifically ordered.
  • Use withdrawal protocols for alcohol withdrawal as ordered.

Hold / question cues

  • Respiratory depression
  • Excess sedation
  • Unsafe concurrent sedatives

Antidote / reversal

  • flumazenil in selected overdose settings

NCLEX pearl

  • Benzos brake the brain; airway is the priority.

Drive Pack cross references

DiazepamDrugAnxiolyticsMed class