Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

Barbiturates are primarily utilized in therapeutic contexts for their sedative and hypnotic properties, making them effective in inducing sleep in patients experiencing insomnia or other sleep disorders. This capability is based on their action as central nervous system depressants, which can help facilitate the onset of sleep.

In contrast, while some choices might appear valid for the use of barbiturates, their role in treating severe depression is not a common application. Contemporary treatment for depression frequently emphasizes antidepressants and therapy, rather than barbiturates, which are more closely associated with managing conditions requiring sedation or sleep induction. Therefore, the most accurate application of barbiturates in therapy is to induce sleep in patients who have difficulty sleeping.