Sedative-Hypnotic Pharmacology MCQs

A 45-year-old man with generalized anxiety disorder is started on a drug that enhances GABA-A receptor activity by increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening. Which drug was most likely prescribed?

• Diazepam

• Phenobarbital

• Zolpidem

• Ramelteon

• Diphenhydramine

A 60-year-old woman with insomnia needs a hypnotic. She has advanced liver disease. Which benzodiazepine is safest?

• Diazepam

• Flurazepam

• Lorazepam

• Clonazepam

• Chlordiazepoxide

A patient with a history of alcohol abuse presents with agitation, tremors, and seizures after stopping alcohol. Which drug is first-line?

• Flumazenil

• Diazepam

• Zolpidem

• Phenobarbital

• Suvorexant

A 28-year-old with panic disorder is given alprazolam. After 3 weeks, he complains of increased dosage requirement. What is this phenomenon?

• Tolerance

• Dependence

• Addiction

• Idiosyncrasy

• Hypersensitivity

A patient in the emergency department has benzodiazepine overdose. Which antidote can be used?

• Naloxone

• Atropine

• Flumazenil

• Protamine sulfate

• N-acetylcysteine

A 30-year-old patient with acute insomnia is prescribed zolpidem. Which of the following is true about this drug?

• Acts on melatonin receptors

• Has anticonvulsant properties

• Selective for α1 subunit of GABA-A

• Causes enzyme induction

• Always safe in elderly

A 55-year-old man with epilepsy is started on phenobarbital. Which of the following is a major concern?

• Enzyme inhibition

• Enzyme induction

• Selectivity for α1 subunit

• High therapeutic index

• Antidote availability

A 40-year-old man undergoing endoscopy requires short-acting sedation with anterograde amnesia. Which agent is preferred?

• Lorazepam

• Diazepam

• Midazolam

• Phenobarbital

• Suvorexant

A patient on benzodiazepines for insomnia suddenly stops the drug. He presents with agitation, tremors, and seizures. This is most consistent with:

• Idiosyncratic reaction

• Hypersensitivity reaction

• Withdrawal syndrome

• Tolerance

• Antagonist effect

Which of the following sedative hypnotic drug is excreted unchanged in the urine?

• Phenobarbital

• Diazepam

• Secobarbital

• Ramelteon

• Alprazolam