In a patient experiencing anticipatory nausea due to chemotherapy, which medication might be chosen for management?

Anticipatory nausea is a conditioned response that can occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy, where they experience nausea prior to treatment based on previous experiences with nausea related to the therapy. This type of nausea typically responds to medications that have anxiolytic properties.

Lorazepam, the chosen medication, helps manage anticipatory nausea due to its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and its sedative properties. By alleviating anxiety related to the anticipation of chemotherapy, Lorazepam can help mitigate the feelings of nausea and vomiting that may arise in these patients.

The other options, while effective for general nausea control, are not targeted specifically for anticipatory nausea in the same way. Ondansetron is primarily effective for acute nausea and works by blocking serotonin receptors, making it less ideal for anticipatory symptoms that are anxiety-driven. Prochlorperazine is an antipsychotic with antiemetic properties, usually used for general nausea rather than specifically for anticipatory nausea, and is not typically the first-line choice for this scenario. Dronabinol, a cannabinoid, may be useful for chemotherapy-induced nausea but is less effective for treating anxiety-related anticipatory nausea.

Overall, Lorazepam is the most appropriate choice for addressing the psychological component of anticipatory nausea in patients receiving