Which barbiturate pair is matched with its common use?

• A. Pentobarbital and Secobarbital — Prevents hyperbilirubinemia in neonates
• B. Methohexital and Thiopental — Induction of anesthesia
• C. Butabarbital — Seizure prevention
• D. Phenobarbital and Mephobarbital — Sedation

Answer: (B)

Induction of anesthesia relies on a drug that acts quickly to make someone unconscious. Methohexital and thiopental are ultrashort-acting barbiturates with rapid onset because they are highly lipid-soluble, so they reach the brain within seconds. Their effects wear off quickly due to rapid redistribution and metabolism, allowing fast, smooth induction followed by maintenance with other anesthetics. The other options describe uses that aren’t the primary purpose of those drugs: some are mainly sedatives or sleep aids, others are anticonvulsants, and neonatal bilirubin prevention isn’t a typical or reliable use for these barbiturates.