Discharge instructions for a benzodiazepine should include guidance to avoid which activity?

• A. Take grapefruit juice with meals.
• B. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
• C. Increase salt intake.
• D. Skip taking doses if drowsy.

Answer: (B)

Benzodiazepines slow brain activity, leading to drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Because these effects can impair judgment and reaction time, the safest discharge guidance is to avoid activities that require alertness, especially driving or operating heavy machinery. This safety message applies broadly to these medications, since combining them with alcohol or other depressants can amplify their sedating effects. Other options are less universal: grapefruit juice can alter metabolism for some benzodiazepines but isn’t a general rule for all patients, increasing salt intake isn’t related to benzodiazepine safety, and skipping doses when drowsy is unsafe because consistent dosing should be maintained unless advised by a clinician.