Which of the following is a long-acting barbiturate commonly used to help control seizures?

Prepare for the Kentucky LCADC Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Be exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a long-acting barbiturate commonly used to help control seizures?

The key idea is matching duration of action to the need for ongoing seizure control. Among barbiturates, this one is clearly long-acting, with a lengthy half-life that provides steady anticonvulsant coverage and is commonly used for maintenance therapy. It works by enhancing GABA-A receptor–mediated inhibition, which stabilizes neuronal membranes and helps prevent seizures. The other options are either not long-acting barbiturates or not barbiturates at all (ultra-short-acting thiopental used for anesthesia, short-to-intermediate acting secobarbital used for sleep, and diazepam a benzodiazepine). So the long-acting barbiturate used to help control seizures is phenobarbital.

The key idea is matching duration of action to the need for ongoing seizure control. Among barbiturates, this one is clearly long-acting, with a lengthy half-life that provides steady anticonvulsant coverage and is commonly used for maintenance therapy. It works by enhancing GABA-A receptor–mediated inhibition, which stabilizes neuronal membranes and helps prevent seizures. The other options are either not long-acting barbiturates or not barbiturates at all (ultra-short-acting thiopental used for anesthesia, short-to-intermediate acting secobarbital used for sleep, and diazepam a benzodiazepine). So the long-acting barbiturate used to help control seizures is phenobarbital.

More practice questions