Detox Detox Medications and Pharmacology 2

Question 1

What is the primary concern when administering high-dose benzodiazepines during alcohol detox?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory depression, especially in patients with pulmonary disease

Answer

High-dose benzodiazepines carry risk of respiratory depression, requiring careful monitoring particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 2

Methadone is effective in opioid withdrawal management due to its pharmacokinetic property of:

Accepted Answer

Long half-life providing stable opioid receptor occupancy and preventing withdrawal

Answer

Methadone's long half-life provides steady-state opioid receptor activation that prevents withdrawal peaks and troughs associated with short-acting opioids.

Question 3

Which medication is specifically contraindicated in patients currently using opioids due to risk of precipitated withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Buprenorphine given too early (before sufficient withdrawal onset)

Answer

Buprenorphine given before sufficient withdrawal onset displaces full agonists from receptors with partial agonism, precipitating acute withdrawal.

Question 4

For a patient in severe alcohol withdrawal with a CIWA-Ar of 20, which route of benzodiazepine administration is preferred?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous for rapid onset and reliable absorption

Answer

Intravenous administration ensures rapid and reliable drug delivery in severe withdrawal, which is critical when oral absorption may be unreliable.

Question 5

What is phenobarbital's role in alcohol detox when benzodiazepines are inadequate?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a second-line CNS depressant to control refractory withdrawal seizures

Answer

Phenobarbital is used as a second-line agent for severe or refractory alcohol withdrawal when benzodiazepines fail to control symptoms adequately.

Detox Practice Test

Detox Practice Test

Detox Detox Medications and Pharmacology 2