Benzodiazepines
Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.
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.
Individual drug cards
Related study cards
Shows conditions, glossary terms, Drive entities, and source-linked cards connected to this medication class.
Use this medication class topic as a source-linked NCLEX review card for priority assessment, medication safety, client teaching, and first nursing action decisions.
Review Diazepam through the Muscle Relaxants / Antispasmodics source folder: know why it is used, what makes it unsafe, what to assess first, and what the client must report.
Airway and breathing concerns override anxiety symptoms.
Tremor, tachycardia, diaphoresis after stopping alcohol.
High pressure alarm can mean obstruction/coughing/kink.
Seizure lasting several minutes.