Pentobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate. A patient receiving it may have a history of which condition?

• A. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• B. Hypertension
• C. Seizures
• D. Diabetes

Answer: (C)

Pentobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate with anticonvulsant effects. It is used to control seizures, including in difficult-to-treat cases, and to lower cerebral metabolic demand and intracranial pressure in critical care. Because of its role as an anticonvulsant, a patient receiving pentobarbital would typically have a history of seizures. The other conditions listed are not direct indications for pentobarbital therapy, and while COPD could complicate respiratory depression, it doesn’t explain the need for this drug. So the best answer is a history of seizures.