Question

Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because the correct dose is difficult to predict. Even a slight overdose can cause coma or death.

T or F

Answer 1

True, barbiturates are highly dangerous due to the narrow margin between therapeutic and lethal doses, and the risk of overdose is amplified when combined with other CNS depressants. Precise dosing is crucial, and medical supervision is recommended, especially during withdrawal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because the correct dose is difficult to predict, and even slight overdoses can cause coma or death is true. Barbiturates, including drugs like phenobarbital, are central nervous system depressants used in medicine for various purposes such as anesthesia, treatment of epilepsy, and as hypnotics. As the therapeutic and toxic doses of barbiturates are very close, inaccurate dosing can readily lead to overdose symptoms such as sluggishness, difficulty in thinking, drowsiness, shallow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.

Combining barbiturates with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, opiates, or benzodiazepines can be even more hazardous due to cumulative effects on the central nervous system and respiratory depression. This is why medical supervision is crucial, especially during drug withdrawal or when managing addiction to these substances, to avoid life-threatening risks.

Answer 2

The statement that barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because the correct dose is difficult to predict. Even a slight overdose can cause coma or death is true.

Step-by-step explanation:

Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because the therapeutic window is narrow; this means that the difference between a safe dose and an overdose is quite small. Even a slight overdose can lead to severe symptoms such as sluggishness, difficulty in thinking, drowsiness, shallow breathing, and staggering. In severe cases, it can indeed cause coma or death. Barbiturates, like phenobarbital, were originally used to induce sleep and have been medically replaced in many instances by benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines due to the lower risk of addiction and overdose.

Furthermore, the risk of overdose increases when barbiturates are taken with other CNS depressants like alcohol, opiates, or benzodiazepines, due to their additive effects on central nervous system depression. This can lead to exaggerated effects on the body and can significantly increase the potential for harm. It's also important to note that the withdrawal process from high doses of barbiturates can be life-threatening and should be carried out under medical supervision.