Name that Med
This peripherally acting muscle relaxant is used to manage spasticity and malignant hyperthermia.
What is dantrolene?
A client taking a centrally acting muscle relaxant reports dizziness and drowsiness. What safety instruction should the nurse reinforce?
Avoid driving and hazardous activities until medication effects are known.
Dantrolene inhibits release of this substance from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle.
What is calcium?
Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness are common effects of this centrally acting medication used for spasticity.
What is baclofen?
A client taking diazepam should avoid this beverage because it increases CNS and respiratory depression.
What is alcohol?
This alpha-2 adrenergic agonist reduces excitatory signaling in the spinal cord.
What is tizanidine?
Which assessment is especially important for a client taking tizanidine because of the risk for severe hypotension?
What is blood pressure?
GABA mimetics reduce muscle contraction by decreasing release of these types of neurotransmitters.
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
A client taking tizanidine develops hallucinations. Is this an expected minor effect or an adverse effect?
What is an adverse effect?
Avoid rubbing or massaging an onabotulinumtoxinA injection area for this length of time.
What is 24 hours?
These two medications are grouped as GABA mimetics.
What are baclofen and carisoprodol?
A client taking dantrolene requires regular monitoring of which laboratory studies?
What are liver function tests?
Tizanidine acts as an agonist at this adrenergic receptor subtype.
What are alpha-2 receptors?
Oral dantrolene carries a boxed warning for this serious adverse effect.
What is hepatotoxicity?
Avoid lying down for this length of time after onabotulinumtoxinA injection.
What is 4 hours?
This benzodiazepine treats muscle strains and spasticity but carries risks for sedation and dependence.
What is diazepam?
A client receiving intrathecal baclofen develops severe rigidity, fever, and altered mental status. What should the nurse suspect?
What is abrupt baclofen withdrawal with rebound spasticity?
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA activity and increase the frequency of opening of channels for this ion.
What is chloride?
Diazepam combined with opioids can cause profound sedation and this potentially fatal complication.
What is respiratory depression?
When do onabotulinumtoxinA effects begin, and when are full effects expected?
Effects begin in 24-72 hours, with full effects around 1 week. Follow procedure-specific instructions.
This neuromuscular blocking agent treats cervical dystonia, strabismus, and blepharospasm.
What is onabotulinumtoxinA?
A client with an intrathecal baclofen pump reports that its alarm is sounding. What is the priority concern?
Interruption of baclofen delivery can cause life-threatening withdrawal and requires prompt intervention.
Increased chloride influx causes this change in neurons, making them less excitable.
What is hyperpolarization?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY: Which findings are serious adverse effects of tizanidine?
A. Hallucinations
B. Severe hypotension
C. Severe bradycardia
D. Hepatotoxicity
E. Mild drowsiness
A, B, C, and D. Mild drowsiness is a common side effect.
PRIORITY: A client taking diazepam plans to drink alcohol and take the medication afterward.
Which response is most appropriate?
A. Take half your prescribed dose.
B. Take the medication before drinking.
C. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
D. Drink extra water before taking the medication.
C. Alcohol increases CNS depression and the risk of respiratory depression.