Psychopharmacology: parenteral olanzapine with benzodiazepine: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Psychiatry · Psychopharmacology: parenteral olanzapine with benzodiazepine

Sample item

An agitated patient has been given intramuscular olanzapine. The nurse proposes an immediate intramuscular lorazepam injection for continued agitation. What is the concern?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Additive sedation with cardiorespiratory depression and hypotension

Intramuscular olanzapine given with a parenteral benzodiazepine has been associated with excess sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression, so they should not be given together within a short interval. Monitoring is essential.

Option by option

  • A. Lorazepam causes severe hyperprolactinaemia

    Hyperprolactinaemia is not a feature of lorazepam.

  • B. Additive sedation with cardiorespiratory depression and hypotension (correct)

    Correct. The combination can cause dangerous sedation and respiratory depression.

  • C. Olanzapine blocks lorazepam receptors

    Olanzapine does not block GABA-A benzodiazepine sites.

  • D. Lorazepam inactivates olanzapine in muscle

    There is no chemical inactivation of olanzapine by lorazepam in muscle.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Additive sedation with cardiorespiratory depression and hypotension. Intramuscular olanzapine given with a parenteral benzodiazepine has been associated with excess sedation, hypotension and respiratory depression, so they should not be given together within a short interval.

Why is "Lorazepam causes severe hyperprolactinaemia" not the answer?

Hyperprolactinaemia is not a feature of lorazepam.

Why is "Olanzapine blocks lorazepam receptors" not the answer?

Olanzapine does not block GABA-A benzodiazepine sites.

Why is "Lorazepam inactivates olanzapine in muscle" not the answer?

There is no chemical inactivation of olanzapine by lorazepam in muscle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: parenteral olanzapine with benzodiazepine in Psychiatry. Monitoring is essential.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychopharmacology: parenteral olanzapine with benzodiazepine?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.