Basic Principles of Pharmacology Quizlet Related

Review Basic Principles of Pharmacology Quizlet related questions and content

Which of the following statements about the major distribution barriers (blood-brain or fetal-placental) is true?

  • A. Water soluble and ionized drugs cross these barriers rapidly
  • B. The blood-brain barrier slows the entry of many drugs into and from brain cells
  • C. The fetal-placental barrier protects the fetus from drugs taken by the mother
  • D. Lipid soluble drugs do not pass these barriers and are safe for pregnant women
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the blood-brain barrier is designed to restrict the passage of many drugs into and out of brain cells, regulating the entry of substances to protect the brain from harmful agents.

Explanation:
1. The blood-brain barrier is a specialized structure that tightly regulates the passage of substances from the bloodstream into the brain.
2. Many drugs, especially water-soluble and ionized ones (choice A), face difficulty crossing this barrier due to their properties.
3. The fetal-placental barrier (choice C) primarily protects the fetus from harmful substances but does not slow drug entry into brain cells.
4. Lipid-soluble drugs (choice D) can actually pass through these barriers easily due to their chemical properties, posing risks for pregnant women.

In summary, choice B is correct as it accurately describes the role of the blood-brain barrier in controlling drug entry into brain cells, while the other choices present inaccurate statements regarding these distribution barriers.