Nurse Drug Classifications Related

Review Nurse Drug Classifications related questions and content

In the presence of picrotoxin, diazepam is less efficacious at causing sedation, regardless of the dose. Picrotoxin by it self has no sedative effect even at the highest dose. Which of the following is correct?

  • A. Picrotoxin is not a competitive antagonist
  • B. Diazepam is a full agonist, and picrotoxin is a partial agonist
  • C. Diazepam is less efficacious than is picrotoxin
  • D. Diazepam is less potent than is picrotoxin
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Picrotoxin reduces diazepam's maximal effect (efficacy), not potency, indicating noncompetitive antagonism.