, GABA-A receptor agonist
A 65-year-old man presents
with chronic insomnia. He
reports that his sleep has
improved after beginning a
new medication, but he is
experiencing concerning
adverse effects. His wife
noticed him sleepwalking,
eating during the night, and
attempting to drive his car at
night. The patient has no
recollection of these events
and is concerned. Vitals
signs are blood pressure
130/80 mmHg, heart rate 82
bpm, respiratory rate 18
breaths/min, and
temperature 98.0 F (36.7 C).
Physical examination is
normal. What is the
mechanism of action of the
medication responsible for
the patient's adverse effects?
,
, Cerebral vasoconstriction
A 26-year-old woman is
brought to the emergency
department with an acute
severe headache. Her
partner reports that it started
6 hours ago and that she
vomited several times at
home. The patient is holding
her hands over her eyes and
reports severe unilateral
retroorbital throbbing pain.
She has no significant past
medical history and takes no
regular medications. Her
vital signs are within normal
limits. There is no gross
neurological deficit on
examination of the cranial
nerves and limbs. Given the
most likely diagnosis, what
is the mechanism of action
of the best drug for the acute
treatment of this patient's
condition?