Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What is the reversal agent for benzodiazepines?

1. Flumazenil

2. Naloxone

3. Atropine

4. Edrophonium

The correct answer is: Flumazenil

The reversal agent for benzodiazepines is Flumazenil. This medication specifically antagonizes the effects of benzodiazepines by acting on the same receptor sites in the central nervous system. It is particularly useful in situations where a patient has received an overdose of benzodiazepines or is experiencing sedation that needs to be rapidly reversed. By binding to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor sites without activating them, Flumazenil effectively counteracts the sedative effects, leading to a quicker recovery from sedation and improved responsiveness. Understanding the roles of the other options can clarify why Flumazenil is the appropriate choice here. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, primarily used for reversing the effects of opioid overdose, not benzodiazepines. Atropine is an anticholinergic agent used to treat bradycardia and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning; it does not reverse benzodiazepines. Edrophonium is a short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and has no role in reversing benzodiazepine effects. Thus, Flumazenil stands out as the specific and effective reversal agent for benzodiazepines