A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam to a client who has an anxiety disorder. The nurse should identify that diazepam belongs to which of the following schedules of controlled substances?
A.
Schedule I
B.
Schedule II
C.
Schedule III
D.
Schedule IV
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. Schedule IV.
Explanation:
Diazepam is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in the United States. The CSA categorizes drugs into different schedules based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and the potential for dependency.
Schedule I substances are considered to have the highest potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use. Examples include heroin and LSD. Schedule II substances have a high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. These include drugs like morphine and methamphetamine.
Schedule III substances have a potential for abuse less than Schedule I or II drugs and may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Examples include anabolic steroids and some medications containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dose.
Schedule IV substances, including diazepam, have a lower potential for abuse relative to substances in Schedules I-III. They have accepted medical uses and a lower risk of dependence. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, is commonly used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures, among other conditions. Although it does have potential for abuse and dependence, it is considered less likely to cause severe issues compared to substances in the higher schedules.
Thus, diazepam’s classification as a Schedule IV drug reflects its medical utility while acknowledging its potential for abuse and dependency, but to a lesser extent compared to Schedule I-III drugs.