Following a knee injury, a football player is taking ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for the control of pain. Which of the following drug actions is most likely to result in diminished sensation of pain for the player?
A) The drug inhibits communication by third-order neurons between the thalamus and cerebral cortex.
B) The drug inhibits the enzyme needed for prostaglandin synthesis.
C) The drug changes the postexcitatory potential in C fibers, leading to pain sensitization.
D) The drug slows the conduction velocity of myelinated A? fibers in the pain pathway.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Analgesia can be achieved by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, as in the case of many NSAIDs. These drugs do not affect the function of third-order neurons, the action potential of C fibers, or the conduction velocity of A? fibers.

Following a Knee Injury, a Football Player Is Taking Ibuprofen