The client has a history of abusing barbiturates. The Psychiatric Technician can expect to see which of the following in this client?

The client has a history of abusing barbiturates. The Psychiatric Technician can expect to see which of the following in this client?

• A. Delayed reaction time while playing volleyball.
• B. Increased excitability while viewing a movie.
• C. Client seeming well rested after waking up in the morning
• D. Improved coordination while playing basketball during recess.

Answer: (A)

Barbiturates depress the central nervous system, slowing brain processing and motor responses. In someone with a history of barbiturate abuse, you’d expect slower reaction times and impaired coordination during activities that require quick, precise responses—like playing volleyball. The other statements don’t fit because barbiturates don’t cause increased excitability, they don’t typically leave a person feeling unusually well rested after waking, and they don’t improve coordination; their main effect is slowing and dulled motor performance.

Barbiturates depress the central nervous system, slowing brain processing and motor responses. In someone with a history of barbiturate abuse, you’d expect slower reaction times and impaired coordination during activities that require quick, precise responses—like playing volleyball. The other statements don’t fit because barbiturates don’t cause increased excitability, they don’t typically leave a person feeling unusually well rested after waking, and they don’t improve coordination; their main effect is slowing and dulled motor performance.