Question

Drugs that decrease membrane permeability to sodium are used for which of the following purposes?

1) They are short-acting.
2) They lessen pain.
3) They are used as local anesthetics.
4) They prevent nerve impulses from passing through the affected body part.
5) All of the above.

Answer 1

Drugs that decrease membrane permeability to sodium are primarily used as local anesthetics. By acting as sodium channel blockers, these drugs disrupt ion movement and prevent nerve impulses from passing through the affected body part, ultimately providing pain relief and numbness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Drugs that decrease membrane permeability to sodium are primarily used as local anesthetics. Lidocaine and novocaine are examples of such drugs that act as sodium channel blockers, preventing the movement of sodium across neuronal membranes. This effect disrupts ion movement and inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses, ultimately resulting in numbness and pain relief in the affected area.