Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

CNS Depressants are also known as what?

1. Pain relievers

2. Stimulants

3. Antidepressants

4. Sedatives or tranquilizers

The correct answer is: Sedatives or tranquilizers

CNS depressants are substances that lower the activity of the central nervous system. They produce effects that can include relaxation, decreased anxiety, and sedation. This group includes medications commonly referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers, which are used to treat anxiety disorders or induce sleep. The terminology of "sedatives" and "tranquilizers" accurately reflects the primary purpose of CNS depressants: to calm or sedate the user, making this option the most appropriate label for these substances. In clinical practice, they are often prescribed for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and other disorders that benefit from a decrease in central nervous system activity. In contrast, pain relievers typically refer to analgesics that relieve pain without necessarily affecting mood or sedation levels. Stimulants are substances that increase central nervous system activity, producing effects such as enhanced focus and energy, which is the opposite of what CNS depressants do. Antidepressants are used primarily to treat major depressive disorders and also have specific methods of action that are fundamentally different from the calming effects of CNS depressants. Thus, "sedatives or tranquilizers" is the most fitting description for CNS depressants.