C HAPTER 44: D RUGS U SED TO T REAT THE
M USCULOSKELETAL S YSTEM
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which medication will be prescribed for a patient complaining of muscle
spasms resulting from a back injury?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
b. Morphine sulfate
c. Bethanechol (Urecholine)
d. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
ANS: D
Cyclobenzaprine is a centrall y acting skeletal muscle relaxant, which is a
group of drugs used to relieve acute muscle spasms. Their exact mechanism
of action is unknown, except that they depress central nervous system (CNS)
function. All the centrall y acting skeletal muscle relaxants produce some
degree of relaxation, and healthcare providers maintain that the benefits from
the sedative effects may exceed the benefits from actual muscle relaxation.
Acetaminophen, morphine, and bethanechol do not relieve skeletal muscle
spasms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 715 | p. 716
OBJ: 1 NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological
Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation CON: Clinical Judgment |
Pain
, 2. Which s ymptoms will be m ost important for the nurse to assess for earl y
signs of respiratory distress in the patient who has been given a
neuromuscular-blocking agent?
a. Nasal flaring and retraction of intercostal muscles
b. Dyspnea, increased respiratory rate, and cyanosis
c. Restlessness, anxiet y, and lethargy
d. Pallor, stridor, and diaphoresis
ANS: C
The signs of restlessness, anxiet y, lethargy, decreased mental alertness, and
headache are earl y, subtle clues to respiratory distress. Retractions, flaring,
dyspnea, hyperventilation , cyanosis, pallor, stridor, and diaphoresis are not
earl y signs of respiratory distress.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 718 OBJ: 2
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Gas Exchange
3. Which common adverse effects occur with neuromuscular -blocking agents?
a. Fever
b. Flushing
c. Nausea
d. Ataxia
ANS: B
Neuromuscular-blocking agents cause histamine release, which may cause
bronchospasm, bronchial and salivar y secretions, flushing, edema, and
M USCULOSKELETAL S YSTEM
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which medication will be prescribed for a patient complaining of muscle
spasms resulting from a back injury?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
b. Morphine sulfate
c. Bethanechol (Urecholine)
d. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
ANS: D
Cyclobenzaprine is a centrall y acting skeletal muscle relaxant, which is a
group of drugs used to relieve acute muscle spasms. Their exact mechanism
of action is unknown, except that they depress central nervous system (CNS)
function. All the centrall y acting skeletal muscle relaxants produce some
degree of relaxation, and healthcare providers maintain that the benefits from
the sedative effects may exceed the benefits from actual muscle relaxation.
Acetaminophen, morphine, and bethanechol do not relieve skeletal muscle
spasms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 715 | p. 716
OBJ: 1 NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological
Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation CON: Clinical Judgment |
Pain
, 2. Which s ymptoms will be m ost important for the nurse to assess for earl y
signs of respiratory distress in the patient who has been given a
neuromuscular-blocking agent?
a. Nasal flaring and retraction of intercostal muscles
b. Dyspnea, increased respiratory rate, and cyanosis
c. Restlessness, anxiet y, and lethargy
d. Pallor, stridor, and diaphoresis
ANS: C
The signs of restlessness, anxiet y, lethargy, decreased mental alertness, and
headache are earl y, subtle clues to respiratory distress. Retractions, flaring,
dyspnea, hyperventilation , cyanosis, pallor, stridor, and diaphoresis are not
earl y signs of respiratory distress.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 718 OBJ: 2
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care
Environment
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Gas Exchange
3. Which common adverse effects occur with neuromuscular -blocking agents?
a. Fever
b. Flushing
c. Nausea
d. Ataxia
ANS: B
Neuromuscular-blocking agents cause histamine release, which may cause
bronchospasm, bronchial and salivar y secretions, flushing, edema, and
