Chapter 25  Muscle Relaxants

Chapter 25  Muscle Relaxants

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1. The nurse is teaching a class on muscular coordination and explains it is the movement of what
electrolyte that contributes to the process of muscle contraction and relaxation?

A) Calcium

B) Chloride

C) Magnesium

D) Hydrogen

Ans: A

Feedback:

Calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which leads to the binding of calcium with
troponin​tropomyosin. This leads to contraction of the muscle fiber. The calcium pump then moves
calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which leads to relaxation of muscle fiber. Chloride,
magnesium, and hydrogen are not involved in this process.

2. A mother brings her 9-year-old son to the clinic for a routine check up. The 9-year-old boy has cerebral
palsy and is very spastic. The mother asks the nurse what causes the spasticity in her son. What is the
nurse’s best response?

A) ​Your son’s spasticity is caused by injury to the muscle tissue.​

B) ​Your son’s spasticity is caused by deficiency of a neurotransmitter called serotonin.​

C) ​Your son’s spasticity is caused by damaged sensory neurons.​

D) ​Your son’s spasticity is caused by damaged motor neurons.​

Ans: D

Feedback:

Muscle spasticity is the result of damage to neurons within the central nervous system (CNS) rather
than injury to peripheral structures such as the musculoskeletal system. Serotonin is not involved in the
process of muscle contraction and relaxation. Although acetylcholine is released and increases muscle
cell membrane permeability to sodium, which eventually leads to the release of calcium, this process
does play a vital part in muscle contraction and relaxation.

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 405

3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who will be going home on cyclobenzaprine
(Flexeril) prescribed for his acute musculoskeletal pain. The nurse will stress that the patient should
avoid what?

A) Drinking alcohol

B) Taking antiemetics

C) Taking antihistamines

D) Taking antibiotics

Ans: A

Feedback:

Taking cyclobenzaprine with alcohol can cause an increase in central nervous system depression. The
nurse should stress that this combination should be avoided due to possible injury or severe body
system depression that could lead to coma or death. No significant concerns exist with the use of
antiemetics, antihistamines, or antibiotics with this drug.

4. The nurse provides patient teaching about chlorzoxazone (Paraflex) in preparation for the patient’s
discharge to home. The nurse evaluates the patient understands potential adverse effects when the
patient makes what statement?

A) ​This drug can cause diarrhea.​

B) ​My urine may turn orange to purple red while taking this drug.​

C) ​My skin may turn yellow but that will go away when I stop taking the drug.​

D) ​After I take a pill it will take 2 to 3 hours before I feel the effects.​

Ans: B

Feedback:

The patient indicates an understanding of adverse effects of this drug by stating that his urine may be
discolored while using the drug. Chlorzoxazone may discolor the urine, which will turn orange to
purple-red when metabolized and excreted. Patients should be warned about this effect to prevent any
fears of blood in the urine. Chlorzoxazone usually causes constipation, not diarrhea. The onset of action
is usually within an hour after the drug has been taken. Yellow discoloration of the skin would indicate
liver damage or dysfunction, which should be reported immediately.

5. The nurse admits a child diagnosed with tetanus. What medication will the nurse expect to administer?

A) Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

B) Baclofen (Lioresal)

C) Dantrolene (Dantrium)

D) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Ans: A

Feedback:

Methocarbamol is the drug of choice if a child needs to be treated for tetanus. Baclofen and dantrolene
are not recommended for use with children. Diphenhydramine is not indicated for treatment of tetanus.