Anthony Holiday is a 28-year-old steelworker for a heating and cooling company. While on the job he cut his right hand with a piece of steel for an air-conditioning vent. He is admitted to the...

Anthony Holiday is a 28-year-old steelworker for a heating and cooling company. While on the job he cut his right hand with a piece of steel for an air-conditioning vent. He is admitted to the emergency department for sutures to the right middle finger and palm. The laceration will be anesthetized with lidocaine prior to suturing.

1. What is the action of lidocaine?

2. Why is lidocaine preferred over procaine?