ATI RN
Drugs for Peripheral Nervous System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following would be the minimum alveolar concentration of both drugs needed to provide an appropriate general anesthesia in this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B (Nitrous oxide 0.7; sevoflurane 0.6) for the minimum alveolar concentration for general anesthesia. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is the concentration of an inhaled anesthetic at which 50% of patients do not respond to a standard surgical stimulus. In this case, a higher MAC value indicates a lower potency of the anesthetic. Therefore, higher MAC values for both nitrous oxide and sevoflurane mean that lower concentrations of these agents are needed to achieve general anesthesia. Choice B has higher MAC values for both drugs compared to the other options, making it the correct answer for providing appropriate general anesthesia with the minimum concentration of the drugs. Choices A, C, and D have lower MAC values for one or both drugs, which would require higher concentrations and potentially lead to inadequate anesthesia.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following drugs was most likely administered to the patient who developed muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and high fever during surgery?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Dantrolene. The patient's symptoms indicate malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetics like succinylcholine. Dantrolene is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia, as it inhibits muscle contraction and lowers body temperature. Succinylcholine (A) can trigger malignant hyperthermia, while cisatracurium (B) and vecuronium (D) are non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents unlikely to cause these symptoms.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following drugs was most likely given to the 65-year-old woman undergoing hysterectomy to counteract tubocurarine-induced hypotension?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dantrolene. Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant that acts directly on the skeletal muscle to reduce muscle tone and counteract tubocurarine-induced hypotension in the 65-year-old woman undergoing hysterectomy. Botulinum toxin is used for muscle spasticity, not hypotension. Succinylcholine is a short-acting muscle relaxant, not used for hypotension. Tubocurarine is the drug causing the hypotension, not used to counteract it.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following drugs would be contraindicated for a patient undergoing major surgery to remove a breast carcinoma who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is a heavy smoker?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tubocurarine. Tubocurarine is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent that can cause histamine release, leading to bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a heavy smoker undergoing major surgery. Glycopyrrolate (B) is a muscarinic antagonist that can be used to reduce secretions during surgery. Clonidine (C) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that can help with perioperative hypertension. Vecuronium (D) is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, like tubocurarine, but it does not cause histamine release, making it a safer option for this patient.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following drugs would be most appropriate for this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Baclofen. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant commonly used to treat spasticity in conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. This drug would be appropriate for a patient experiencing muscle spasticity. Phenobarbital (A) is a barbiturate used for seizures, not muscle relaxation. Tubocurarine (C) and Succinylcholine (D) are neuromuscular blocking agents used for muscle paralysis during surgery, not for muscle spasticity. Therefore, Baclofen is the most appropriate choice for this patient.