Question

Why is a resting nerve less sensitive to local anesthetics?

A) The resting nerve membrane is impermeable to local anesthetics.
B) The resting nerve has a lower concentration of sodium channels.
C) Local anesthetics are only effective on active nerves.
D) The resting nerve has a higher pH, reducing the effectiveness of local anesthetics.

Answer 1

A resting nerve is less sensitive to local anesthetics because the resting nerve membrane is impermeable to these drugs. Local anesthetics are only effective on active nerves. The higher pH of a resting nerve reduces the effectiveness of local anesthetics.

Step-by-step explanation:

A resting nerve is less sensitive to local anesthetics because the resting nerve membrane is impermeable to these drugs. That's why local anesthetics are only effective on active nerves. When a nerve is at rest, it has a higher pH, which actually reduces the effectiveness of local anesthetics.