Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Nephrology Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

Charcoal hemoperfusion is a therapeutic procedure primarily used to enhance the elimination of certain substances from the body, particularly in cases of poisoning. It involves passing blood through a column containing activated charcoal, which adsorbs various toxins and drugs.

Glutethimide, a sedative and hypnotic medication, can be effectively removed by charcoal hemoperfusion due to its properties and the mechanism of adsorption. This method utilizes the high surface area of activated charcoal, which effectively binds to glutethimide, thereby facilitating its removal from circulation. In situations where glutethimide poisoning occurs, this treatment can be particularly beneficial since it can reduce the body's overall drug burden and alleviate symptoms more rapidly.

While charcoal hemoperfusion can be effective for certain substances, it is not universally applicable to all toxins, including heavy metals and some recreational drugs. Heavy metals typically do not bind well to activated charcoal and require other specific treatments for toxicity. Similarly, the efficacy of charcoal hemoperfusion can be variable with recreational drugs, depending on their chemical structure and lipophilicity. Thus, the treatment is not used for every possible poisoning scenario, highlighting the specificity of charcoal hemoperfusion for certain compounds like glutethimide.