Final answer:
If a person on barbiturates exhibits a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute and dilated pupils, seek immediate medical assistance due to the possibility of an overdose or serious side effects, including life-threatening respiratory depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person taking barbiturates demonstrates a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute and dilated pupils, then you should seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms may indicate overdose or severe sedative effect, which can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression. Barbiturates slow down the activity of the brain and central nervous system, leading to symptoms like sluggishness, drowsiness, and in severe cases, coma or death. The individual may also be at increased risk if they have taken other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, opiates, or benzodiazepines, which can have additive effects.
The respiratory rate is an important indicator of an individual's health status. It is controlled by the respiratory center within the medulla oblongata, which responds to changes in carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH levels in the blood. A reduced respiratory rate, especially in the context of barbiturate use, is a serious concern that requires professional medical assessment and intervention.