A patient has been abusing barbiturates for a long time. The ...

[schs14]

A patient has been abusing barbiturates for a long time. The patient has just started a detoxification program. A nurse administers phenobarbital (Luminal) to the patient based on which of the following actions of the drug?
 
  a. Because of cross-dependence, phenobarbital eases barbiturate withdrawal by suppressing symptoms of abstinence.
  b. Phenobarbital acts as an antagonist and counteracts adverse effects from long-term abuse.
  c. Phenobarbital is a benzodiazepine and still provides the patient with an elevated mood and mock high.
  d. Phenobarbital reduces the psychotic symptoms associated with barbiturates and prevents respiratory depression.

Question 2

For an adolescent who has been experimenting with MDMA (Ecstasy), an important component of patient education is that the long-term effects of MDMA include which of the following clinical findings?
 
  a. Irreversible passivity
  b. Hypersomnia
  c. Heart block
  d. Bronchoconstriction

[Sammyo]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Because of cross-dependence, phenobarbital suppresses the symptoms of abstinence from the abused barbiturate, and then the dosage of phenobarbital is gradually tapered off.
Phenobarbital does not act as an antagonist or counteract adverse effects from long-term abuse.
Phenobarbital is a barbiturate, not a benzodiazepine.
Barbiturates are not associated with psychosis and do not produce it as a side effect.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
MDMA causes irreversible destruction of serotonergic neurons, resulting in passivity and insomnia.
MDMA does not cause hypersomnia, but rather insomnia.
MDMA does not cause heart block or bronchoconstriction .

[schs14]

Thanks

[Sammyo]

Welcome