Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications primarily used for their anxiolytic, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. They are known for their ability to enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain.

The statement identifying that Benzodiazepines include carbamazepine is not correct because carbamazepine is actually an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing agent that belongs to a different class of medications. Carbamazepine is primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, and it functions through distinct mechanisms, unlike benzodiazepines.

Increased R.E.M. sleep is a characteristic effect of certain substances, but benzodiazepines typically do not increase R.E.M. sleep; rather, they can reduce its duration. Hangover effects due to active metabolism is a recognized phenomenon with benzodiazepines, resulting from the lingering presence of metabolized drugs in the system even after the effects of the initial dose have worn off. While benzodiazepines can be prescribed for children with caution, caution is paramount as these medications can have varied effects and potential side effects in pediatric patients.