Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) Practice Test

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Which barbiturate is commonly used for sleep before surgery?

Phenobarbital
Secobarbital
Amobarbital
Thiopental

The correct answer is: Secobarbital

Secobarbital is commonly used as a preoperative sedative and anxiolytic, making it suitable for inducing sleep before surgical procedures. It is a short-acting barbiturate that promotes sleep while allowing for a quick recovery, which is crucial in a surgical setting where the patient must be prepared for anesthesia and the procedure itself. The rapid onset of action and shorter duration of effects make it effective in managing preoperative anxiety and ensuring that patients can spend a minimal amount of time under sedation before surgery. While phenobarbital, amobarbital, and thiopental have their own uses, they are less commonly used specifically for inducing sleep in the preoperative period. Phenobarbital is often used for long-term seizure control and has a longer duration of action. Amobarbital also has sedative properties but is generally not the first choice for preoperative sedation. Thiopental, while sometimes utilized as an anesthetic induction agent, is not primarily indicated for sleep induction before surgery and acts quickly, but its duration and use differ significantly from that of secobarbital.