A Patient Asks Why the Prescriber Is Changing His Anxiety

question 27

Multiple Choice

A patient asks why the prescriber is changing his anxiety medication from lorazepam (Ativan) to sertraline (Zoloft) .What is your best response?

• A) "Sertraline is a stronger drug and will do a better job of controlling your anxiety."
• B) "Sertraline has milder side effects and a decreased risk for drug dependence."
• C) "Sertraline acts much faster to get the symptoms of your anxiety under control."
• D) "Sertraline can be taken only when needed to control symptoms of anxiety."

---

Definitions:

Overthink

The act of thinking about something too much or for too long, often leading to excessive worry or analysis.

Internal

Relating to or situated on the inside; often refers to processes or qualities within an entity or organism.

Stable

The quality of being unchanging or not prone to fluctuation, often used to describe emotional or psychological states.

Depression

A common mental health disorder marked by prolonged feelings of sadness and apathy, often impairing daily functioning.