What safety concern should be documented for benzodiazepines?

• A. Nephrotoxicity
• B. Sedation and potential respiratory depression
• C. Hyperglycemia
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (B)

The safety concern to document for benzodiazepines is sedation and potential respiratory depression. Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system by enhancing GABA activity, which can lead to drowsiness, slowed reaction time, impaired coordination, and, at higher doses or with other depressants (like alcohol or opioids), slowed or inadequate breathing. This makes respiratory compromise a key risk to watch for, especially in older adults, those with COPD or sleep apnea, and when multiple sedatives are used together.

In practice, you’d document signs of oversedation (level of consciousness, cognitive impairment, slurred speech) and breathing status (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, pattern of breathing). Also note any changes in airway safety or fall risk, and provide patient education about avoiding alcohol and other CNS depressants, driving only when able to tolerate the medication, and reporting excessive sedation or breathing difficulty.

Nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia, and hypertension are not typical safety concerns associated with benzodiazepines, so they are not the primary issues to document for this drug class.