A 68-year-old woman on zolpidem 10 mg PO HS for 4 weeks is found by family driving to the grocery store at 2 a…

Question

A 68-year-old woman on zolpidem 10 mg PO HS for 4 weeks is found by family driving to the grocery store at 2 a.m. with no memory of the event the next morning. Which is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Option 2: Hold further doses, notify the provider, and educate about FDA boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors.

Correct (2): The 2019 FDA boxed warning applies to complex sleep behaviors (sleep-driving, sleep-eating, sleep-walking) with eszopiclone, zaleplon, and zolpidem — even at recommended doses. After any such event, the drug must be DISCONTINUED. Older adults, women, and concurrent CNS depressant use heighten risk. Beers Criteria also flags non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics for adults ≥65. (1) Sleep-driving is not normal aging. (3) Higher dose magnifies risk. (4) Combining CNS depressants compounds the danger.

Answer

Option 1: Reassure the family this is normal age-related forgetfulness.

Answer

Option 3: Add a benzodiazepine to enhance sedation throughout the night.

Answer

Option 4: Increase the dose to 12.5 mg to deepen sleep and prevent night wandering.

A 68-year-old woman on zolpidem 10 mg PO HS for 4 weeks is found by family driving to the grocery store at 2 a.m. with no memory of the event the next morning. Which is the priority nursing action?

In-depth explanation

Clinical scenario

Key concepts

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A 68-year-old woman on zolpidem 10 mg PO HS for 4 weeks is found by family driving to the grocery store at 2 a.m. with no memory of the event the next morning. Which is the priority nursing action?

In-depth explanation

Clinical scenario

Key concepts

Master the NCLEX-RN with MyMerci