Which neuromuscular blocking agent is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Succinylcholine. Succinylcholine can increase intraocular pressure, which is dangerous for patients with glaucoma. This is due to its depolarizing mechanism of action, causing muscle fasciculations and potential pressure build-up in the eye. A: Tubocurarine is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and not contraindicated in glaucoma. C: Pancuronium is a nondepolarizing agent and does not have a significant effect on intraocular pressure. D: Gallamine is a nondepolarizing agent and is not contraindicated in glaucoma.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sotalol. Sotalol is a nonselective beta-blocker with no intrinsic sympathomimetic or local anesthetic activity, making it suitable for treating life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Propranolol (A) is also a nonselective beta-blocker but has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Oxprenolol (B) is nonselective but has partial agonist activity. Atenolol (D) is a selective beta-1 blocker and not suitable for ventricular arrhythmias.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Zaleplon. Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent that acts primarily on the GABA receptors to induce sleep without significant muscle relaxing or anticonvulsant effects. Flurazepam (A) and Triazolam (B) are benzodiazepines that have muscle relaxing and anticonvulsant properties, making them less ideal for pure hypnotic effects. "None of the above" (D) is incorrect as Zaleplon fits the criteria specified in the question.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Diazepam. Diazepam is the most commonly used drug for the acute treatment of seizure clusters due to its rapid onset of action and efficacy in stopping seizures quickly. It is a benzodiazepine that acts by enhancing the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Valproate (A) is used for long-term seizure management, not acute seizure clusters. Phenytoin (C) is also used for long-term seizure control and has a slower onset of action. Gabapentin (D) is not typically used for acute seizure treatment as it is more commonly used for chronic pain or neuropathic conditions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pentazocine. Pentazocine is a mixed opioid receptor agonist-antagonist, acting as a partial agonist at the mu receptor and antagonist at the kappa receptor. This dual mechanism provides analgesia with less risk of respiratory depression compared to full mu agonists like Fentanyl, Codeine, and Methadone. Fentanyl (A) is a potent mu agonist, Codeine (C) is a prodrug that is metabolized to morphine, a full mu agonist, and Methadone (D) is a full mu agonist used for opioid addiction treatment. By understanding the pharmacological properties of these drugs, we can determine that Pentazocine is the only correct choice.