Author Question: A person takes sertraline (Zoloft) 100 mg PO daily for posttraumatic stress disorder. Which change ... (Read 55 times)

newbem · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A person takes sertraline (Zoloft) 100 mg PO daily for posttraumatic stress disorder. Which change in sleep is likely secondary to this medication? The patient will have:

a. more dreams.
b. less REM sleep.
c. excessive sleepiness.
d. less slow-wave sleep.

Question 2

A person takes lorazepam (Ativan) 2 mg PO BID PRN for anxiety. When the person takes this medication, which change in sleep is anticipated? The patient will:

a. have fewer dreams.
b. enter sleep through REM.
c. have less slow-wave sleep.
d. have more complaints of pain.

bpool94 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Sertraline (Zoloft) is an SSRI anti-depressant medication, which suppresses REM sleep. Dreams would decrease because they occur during REM. Benzodiazepines reduce slow-wave sleep. SSRIs have a side effect of insomnia.

Answer to Question 2

C
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, which reduces slow-wave sleep. REM sleep would likely increase. Persons with narcolepsy often enter sleep through REM.