Fundamentals of Nursing Q 339

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Nurse Mackey is monitoring a patient for adverse reactions during barbiturate therapy. What is the major disadvantage of barbiturate use?

  

     A. Prolonged half-life

     B. Poor absorption

     C. Potential for drug dependence

     D. Potential for hepatotoxicity

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Potential for drug dependence

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Patients can become dependent on barbiturates, especially with prolonged use. Due to the abuse potential of barbiturates, restricted access started with the passage of the Federal Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act of 1970. Barbiturates classify as Schedule II-IV based on their abuse potential.

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Option A: Because of the rapid distribution of some barbiturates, no correlation exists between duration of action and half-life. The elimination half-life for thiopental is about 5 hours. In children, a shorter elimination half-time occurs due to greater hepatic clearance.

Option B: Barbiturates are absorbed well. Age-related changes have been demonstrated in pharmacokinetics due to slower intercompartmental clearance in the elderly, resulting in higher serum concentrations with smaller drug doses.

Option D: They do not cause hepatotoxicity, although existing hepatic damage does require cautious use of the drug because barbiturates are metabolized in the liver.

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