Question

A 35-year-old HIV-positive patient who is undergoing a prolonged electrophysiology ablation procedure under monitored anesthesia care using midazolam and demonstrates a delayed arousal from the sedation. Which of the following antiretroviral medication classes is most likely contributing to the prolonged effects of the sedatives?

A. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
B. Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
C. Protease inhibitors
D. Integrase inhibitors
E. Entry inhibitors

Answer 1

The antiretroviral medication class contributing to the prolonged sedative effects in an HIV-positive patient during a medical procedure is most likely Protease inhibitors, due to their interaction with the drug metabolism system.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where a 35-year-old HIV-positive patient has a delayed arousal from sedation during an electrophysiology ablation procedure, the antiretroviral medication class most likely contributing to the prolonged effects of the sedatives is Protease inhibitors. Protease inhibitors are known to interact with many medications, including sedatives like midazolam, because they can inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which is responsible for the metabolism of many drugs. This interaction can lead to higher levels of sedatives in the blood, resulting in prolonged sedative effects.

While other antiretroviral drugs like Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, Integrase inhibitors, and Entry inhibitors play roles in inhibiting different phases of the HIV life-cycle, they do not have the same prominent effects on the metabolism of drugs like protease inhibitors do.