An older adult reports anxiety and is prescribed diazepam by a family physician. the physician asks the office nurse to explain to the client the problematic side effects of this medication. which instruction about this drug would be most important for the nurse to emphasize?

Diazepam is Valium, a hypnotic, anxiolytic, and sedative. It can cause fatigue, drowsiness/sedation, confusion, dizziness, impaired memory, and decreased motor response time. Use caution when operating machinery.

20 times a minute is usually the average respritory rate of an adult. additionally the patient is breathing on his own, is clearly maintaining his airway, and is intaking a sufficient amount of air. you shouldn't use a bag valve mask, cpap, or other form of positive pressure ventilation, unless the patient has lost control of his airway, and is not breathing (apneic) or has rapid breathing or slow and shallow respirations. this patient would most likely and should be put on an non-rebreather mask or nrb attached to 100% high flow oxygen at 15 l/min. don't use a nasal cannula, as the amount of oxygen it provides is limited with a rate of 6 l/min.