What is a function served by both centrally and peripherally acting emetics?

Prepare for the Penn Foster Veterinary Pharmacology Exam. Get ready for your exam with interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations to help you succeed!

Both centrally and peripherally acting emetics primarily serve the function of inducing vomiting. Centrally acting emetics work by stimulating the vomiting center in the brain, while peripherally acting emetics generally act on the gastrointestinal tract to elicit the vomiting response. The mechanism may vary, but the end result is the same: the expulsion of contents from the stomach, which is crucial in situations such as poisoning or toxins in the body.

The other options do not align with the primary function of emetics. Reducing stomach acidity relates more to antacids or proton pump inhibitors. Promoting nutrient absorption is a function associated with digestive agents or proper gastrointestinal function. Enhancing gastric motility typically refers to agents that increase the movement of the digestive tract to expedite food processing and is not a role of emetics. Thus, inducing vomiting stands out as the clear and correct function shared by both types of emetics.

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